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Sommers,  Charles  George, 

1793-1868. 
Memoir  of  the  Rev.  John 

Stanford  ,  D .  D .  „_ .  . 


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MEMOIR 


OF 


THE    REV.   JOHN    STANFORD,    D.  D. 

LATE    CHAPLAIN    TO    THE    HUMANE    AND    CRIMINAL 
INSTITUTIONS    IN    THE    CITY    OF    NEW-YORK. 


BY 

CHARLES     G.    SOMMERS, 

PASTOR   OF    THE   SOUTH   BAPTIST   CHURCH   IN   KEW-yORK. 


TOGETHER  WITH 

AN     APPENDIX, 

COMPRISING 

BRIEF    MEMOIRS 

OF 

THE  REV.  JOHN  WILLIAMS,  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

AND    THE    REV.  RICHARD    FURMAN,    D.  D. 


The  righteous  Bhall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance.— f^fl/w  cxii.  G. 


NEW-YORK: 

SWORDS,  STANFORD,  AND  CO. 

No,  152  Broadway. 

1835. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1835,  by  Thomas 
N.  Stanford,  in  tlie  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Southern  District  of  New- 
York. 


TO  THE  HONOURABLE 

THE  MAYOR  AND  CORPORATION  OF  THE 
CITY  OF  NEW- YORK; 

TO 

THE  GOVERNORS  OF  THE  NEW-YORK 
HOSPITAL; 

AND    TO 

THE  DIRECTORS  OF  THE  SEVERAL  HUiMANE 
AND  CRIMINAL  INSTITUTIONS, 

IN    WHICH 

THE    REV.    JOIIIV    STANFORD,    D,  D. 

WAS  FOR  MORE  THAN  TWENTY  YEARS  THE  DEVOTED 
AND  UNIVERSALLY  BELOVED 

CHAPLAIN; 

THIS    MEMOIR 

IS  MOST  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED, 

BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


The  present  Memoir  of  the  Rev.  John  Stan- 
ford, D.  D.  was  commenced  at  the  particular 
solicitation  of  his  surviving  relatives  and  other 
friends.  It  was  attempted  with  great  diffi- 
dence, and  continued  under  all  the  disadvant- 
ages of  accumulated  public  duties  and  frequent 
interruptions.  Historical  accuracy,  and  not 
literary  excellence,  is  all  at  which  circumstances 
have  enabled  the  writer  to  aim  ;  he  would^, 
therefore,  bespeak  the  indulgence  of  the  rea- 
der, so  far  at  least  as  regards  those  incidental 
imperfections  which  a  just  criticism  may  de- 
tect. With  no  ambition  for  authorship,  but  in 
humble  hope  that  this  biography  of  a  servant 
of  Jesus  Christ,  so  eminently  pious,  and  of 
such  distinguished  usefulness,  may  be  made 
instrumental  in  promoting  that  cause  to  which 
his  youth  and  hoary  age  were  alike  devoted^ 
the  work  is  committed  to  the  providence  of 
God. 

B 


▼I  ADVERTISEMENT. 

The  Appendix,  comprising  the  memoirs  of 
three  eminently  pious  and  useful  Baptist  mi- 
nisters, has  been  added,  for  the  purpose  of 
giviog  greater  publicity  to  the  history  of  their 
worth.  While  living,  they  were  the  affec- 
tiotiate  friends  of  Dr.  Stanford;  it  seemed, 
therefore,  to  be  peculiarly  appropriate  to  in- 
clude the  brief  narrative  of  their  lives  in  the 
same  volume. 


PREFACE. 


If  to  enlighten  and  affect  the  human  mind  be  one 
means  appointed  by  heaven  to  promote  the  mora! 
interests  of  mankind,  then  it  cannot  but  be  an 
acceptable  service,  to  spread  before  the  world  the 
history  of  those  who,  by  uniform  and  exalted  piety, 
have  exemplified  the  sanctifying  power  of  the  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ.  By  so  doing,  we  multiply  the 
Fiiotives  to  a  holy  life,  and  embalm  the  memory  of 
the  just. 

"  Let  their  mem'ry  shine, 
In  glories  that  survive  their  living  days, 
As  od'roua  scents  outlast  the  censer's  blaze." 

A  desire  to  remember  and  to  be  remembered,  is  a 
principle  inseparable  from  the  nature  of  man ;  and 
this  feeling  has  not  unfrequently  been  sanctified  to 
the  improvement  and  pleasure  of  those  who  have  had 
sense  and  good  taste  sufficient  to  prefer  the  narrative 
dictated  by  truth,  to  works  of  mere  imagination. 
The  fictions  of  the  poet  and  the  novelist  will  vanish 
like   the   meteor's    blaze,    but  the   records   of   the 


Vlii  '  PREFACE. 

Christian  Church  shall  survive,  in  the  memoirs  of 
those  who  have  added  their  testimony  to  that  of 
'•  the  great  multitude,  which  no  man  can  numher." 
A  volume  of  Christian  biography,  where  history 
teaches  by  the  power  of  example,  cannot  fail  to  make 
an  impression  on  the  mind  of  the  reader,  which  the 
apocryphal  effusions  of  those  who  write  merely  to 
please  the  fancy  can  never  produce.  Every  attempt, 
therefore,  to  excite  the  souls  of  men  to  spiritual 
action,  by  illustrating  the  beauty  and  excellency  of 
religion,  as  it  regulates  and  blesses  life,  and  pours 
its  consolations,  like  the  light  of  heaven,  around  the 
death-bed  of  the  Christian  pilgrim,  must  be  regarded 
as  a  work  of  benevolence. 

The  design  of  this  memoir  is,  neither  to  build  the 
tombs  of  the  prophets,  nor  to  garnish  the  sepulchres 
of  the  righteous ;  but,  by  recording  the  virtues  of  the 
pious  dead,  to  enforce  the  divine  precept — "Go  thou 
and  do  likewise."  The  advantages  of  a  good  example 
are  every  where  acknowledged,  because,  by  a  secret 
but  powerful  influence,  it  urges  us  to  imitation.  This 
principle  was  so  well  understood  by  the  Romans,  that 
they  preserved,  with  the  greatest  care,  the  pictures  of 
their  brave  progenitors,  as  a  means  of  exciting  them 
to  emulate  their  heroic  patriotism.  Caesar  never  said 
to  his  soldiers,  "  Ite,"  go  on;  but  his  animating 
command  was,  "  Venite,"  come  on,  or,  follow  me. 
In  the  name  of  One,  greater  than  Caesar,  the  apostle 
commands  all  who  aspire  to  the  immortal  honours  of 
victory  over  the  powers  of  darkness,  "  Be  ye  followers 


PREFACE.  IX 

of  them  who,  through  faith  and  patience,  inherit  the 
promises." 

It  is  not  intended  to  present  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  as  a  perfect  exemplar;  but  it  may,  without 
exaggeration,  be  said,  that  by  the  grace  of  God  he 
was  enabled,  amidst  the  toils  and  changes  of  a  long 
life,  *' through  manifestation  of  the  truth,  to  commend 
himself  to  the  consciences  of  all  men  in  the  sight  of 
God.''  He  maintained  his  integrity,  and  active 
spiritual  vitality,  unto  the  end, 

"  If  faults  he  had,  they  were  such  as  made 
No  blot  upon  the  picture. 
A  man  immaculate  we  never  knew.'^ 

That  the  life  of  our  venerable  friend  was  devoted 
to  the  glory  of  God,  the  present  happiness  and  future 
salvation  of  men,  v/ill  be  doubted  by  no  one  acquainted 
with  his  indefatigable  labours  as  aminister  of  Christ ; 
and  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  that  the  Christian 
public  desire  to  become  more  familiar  with  the 
private  history  of  a  man  so  highly  distinguished  for 
usefulness,  and  so  universally  beloved.  How  far  the 
present  volume  may  conduce  to  the  proposed  end, 
must  be  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  the  reader, 
from  whose  kindness  the  writer  will  hope,  that  its 
moral  tendency  will  shield  both  the  work  and  its 
author,  at  least  from  severe  criticism. 

The  pecuhar  mental  and  moral  characteristics  of 
Dr.  Stanford,  may  be  said  to  have  consisted  in  an 
unconquerable  attachment  to  the  cause  of  God  an4 


X  PREFACE. 

truth ;  and  a  faithful  appropriation  of  all  the  powers 
of  his  mind  to  promulgate  the  gospel,  by  proclaiming 
the  way  of  salvation,  through  Jesus  Christ,  from  the 
pulpit  and  from  the  press.  In  the  first  of  these 
departments  of  Christian  effort,  the  following  pages 
will  show,  that  he  was  surpassed  by  few  men  of 
the  present  age;  and  as  a  pungent  and  lucid  writer 
on  practical  divinity,  he  is  favourably  known  to  the 
Christian  world. 

By  the  death  of  Dr.  Stanford,  the  cause  of  truth 
has  sustained  a  great  loss;  yet  he  was  providentially 
preserved  to  an  advanced  age,  to  bless  mankind 
by  his  precept  and  example.  Wiiile,  therefore,  we 
bow  in  submission  before  liim  whose  ways  are 
unsearchable,  and  his  judgments  past  finding  out, 
we  may  hope,  that  the  imperishable  lustre  of  the 
example  which  he  has  bequeathed  will  excite  ihou- 
gands  to  the  faithful  and  diligent  performance  of  their 
duty,  that,  when  time  with  them  shall  be  no  more, 
they  may  inherit  the  blessing. 

The  following  work  has  been  in  part  composed 
from  manuscript  volumes  containing  his  diary,  from 
fugitive  pieces,  written  at  intervals,  and  from  such 
facts,  with  regard  to  his  public  labours,  as  the  author 
could  collect  from  his  own  memory,  or  that  of  friends. 
In  every  instance,  great  pains  have  been  taken  to 
give,  in  Dr.  Stanford's  own  words,  whatever  was  fit  for 
the  public  eye.  From  the  very  imperfect  state  of  all 
his  papers,  it  is  evident  that  he  could  not  have 
written  with  a  view  to  posthumous  publication. 


PREFACE.  ,      XI 

It  was  originally  the  design  of  the  writer  to  hare 
enriched  the  present  work  with  a  condensed  history, 
and  hthographic  views,  of  all  the  public  institutions 
in  this  city,  in  which  Dr.   S.  laboured;  and   to  have 
furnished   the  statistics  of  New- York,  from  the  days 
of  its  original  founders,  materials  for  which  had  been 
amply  provided  in  a  manuscript  volume  which  Dr.  S. 
prepared,  with  incredible  labour,  in  the  examination 
of  the  public  and  private  sources  of  statistical  infor- 
mation; and  which  contained  important  facts  relating 
to    the    history    of  New- York,    for    more    than    one 
hundred   and    eighty   years    past,    which  few   other 
men   had   the  means   of  obtaining.     This    valuable 
production,  written  in  Dr.  Stanford's   usual  style  of 
elegant   penmanship,  was  presented  to  the  Common 
Council  of  New- York,  but  is  now,  we  fear,  irrecover- 
ably lost.   Great  disappointment  has  been  experienced 
in  the  impossibility  of  finding  this  book,  notwithstand- 
ing a  most  laborious  and  persevering  search  of  about 
six  months;  by  which  this  memoir  has  been  delayed 
until  the    present  time,    and    the    author    has    been 
compelled  to  have  recourse  to  other  sources  for  the 
historical  statements  which  are  interspersed  through- 
out the  present  work. 

That  the  following  pages,  designed  to  promote  the 
interests  of  evangelical  piety,  may  be  acceptable  to 
the  reader,  and  accompanied  with  the  blessing  of 
God,  is  the  sincere  prayer,  and  the  highest  ambition, 
of 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Pagre 

His  Birth  and  Education  r  -  "  -  13 

His  first  serious  Impressions  «  -  -  -  14 

Confirmation  -  -  "  -  lo 

Religious  Tracts  -  -  -  -  lo 

Intercourse  with  IMi.  Cleave  Hooper  •  -  -  -  17 

Private  Prayer  -  -  -  -  18 

The  Pack  of  Carda  buried  .  .  .  .  J9 

Prayerful  Study  of  the  Bible  ,  -  -  -  20 

Abandoned  by  his  Uncle  -  -  -  -  21 

Death  of  his  Uncle  and  his  Mother  -  -  -  -  22 

Mr.  Stanford  removes  to  Hammersmith  -  -  -  -  23 

His  Call  to  the  Christian  Ministry  -  -  -  -  24 

CHAPTER  H. 

Conversation  respecting  Baptism  -  -  -  -  2S 

Examination  of  Infant  Baptism  -  -  -  -  27 

First  Interview  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wallin  -  -  -  28 

Persecution  for  Conscience  sake  -  -  -  -  29 

Joseph's  Coat  of  many  Colours  -  -  -  -  30 

He  commits  himself  to  the  Lord  -  -  -  -  31 

His  Public  Ordination  to  the  Ministry  -  -  -  -  32 

Address  of  the  Rev.  Abraham  Booth  •  -  -  -  33 

Commences  his  Diary  -  -  -  -  38 

CHAPTER  III. 

He  removes  to  America  -  -  -  -  39 

Call  from  the  Church  in  Providence  -  -  -  -  40 

Baptists,  the  Advocates  of  Liberty  -  -  -  -  41 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards  -  -  -  -  42 

Visitation  amongst  the  Poor  -  -  -  -  43 

Theological  Students  -  -  -  -  44 

Commendation  _  „  .  -  45 


XIV 


CONTENT?. 


Orphans  instructed 

Mr.  Stanford  returns  to  New-York 

Depressed  in  Spirit 

The  broken  Heart  healed 

Sabbath  Evening  Lectures 

Jewish  Custom  at  Weddings 

A  Church  constituted 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  Rowland  Hill 

Conflagation 

The  Christian's  Pocket  Library 

Indwelling  Sin  lamented 

Self-dedication 

Visit  to  a  Backslider 

Final  State  of  Infants 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Unexpected  Relief 

Cast  down,  but  not  destroyed 

Visit  to  Stamford 

Despair,  the  Fruit  of  Sin 

Warwick  Association 

Yellow  Fever 

Death  of  Mrs.  Stanford 

Effects  of  Yellow  Fever  in  Xew-York 

Commemorative  Sermon 

Day  of  Thanksgiving 

The  Eucharist 

Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Hall 

The  moving  of  the  Cloud 

Re-appearance  of  Yellow  Fever 

Fears  dissipated 

Amiable  Trait  of  Character 

Uriin  and  Thummim 


CHAPTER  V. 


Young  Converts 

Painful  Tidings 

The  Pulpit  preserved 

His  Congregation  dispersed 

Thoughts  on  the  Thirty-third  Psalm 

Letter  to  Dr.  B. 

Rev.  Dr.  Livingston 

Letter  to  Captain  W. 

The  Comer-stone- 

Consequence  of  Intemperance 

Superior  Church  Music,  a  Blessing 

His  Services  multiplied 

The  Log-book 

Good  News 

Typhus  Fever 


CONTENT^. 


XV 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Meditation  in  the  Fields  * 

Retirement,  Meditation,  and  Prayef 

Sanctified  Affliction 

Letter  to  the  Shaftsbury  Association 

Baptists,  not  addicted  to  PoUtics 

The  Domestic  Chaplain 

Letter  to  John  Holmes,  Esq. 

Merciful  Interposition  of  Providence 

Visit  to  Governor  Bloonifield 

A  memorable  Event 

New  Year's  Sermon 

Letter  to  Governor  Bloomfield 

Letter  from  Governor  Bloonifield 

New-York  Aims-House 

His  Field  of  Labour 

Obstacles  did  not  impede  him 

Gratitude  of  his  Hearers 

A  Week's  Work 

Abounding  in  the  Work  of  the  Lord 

His  Labours  in  the  State-Prison 

Conversion  of  J.  R.  • 

Victory  through  Christ 

CHAPTER  VIL 

Worthy  of  Imitation 

Letter  to  E.  H.  Esq. 

Out  of  Weakness  he  was  made  Strong 

Ministerial  Qualifications 

Gratuitous  Distribution  of  Tracts 

Letter  to  the  Rev.  WiUiain  Hallock 

Letter  to  C.  G.  S. 

Submission  to  the  Divine  Will 

The  Facetious  Dutchman 

Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp 

A  Painful  Accident 

Essay  on  Walking  with  God 

Sudden  Illness 

Letter  to  Captain  W. 

Tract  on  the  Lord's  Day 

History  of  J.  H. 


Pac 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Divinity  Students 
Tract  on  Profane  Swearing 
Letter  to  Dr.  H. 
Interesting  Incident 
Letter  to  Mr.  E.  J.  W. 
His  Desire  to  be  Useful 
W^alking  by  Faith 


-     m 

97 

.   98 

99 

-   100 

-   101 

-   103 

-   104 

-   105 

-   106 

.   107 

-   108 

.   110 

-   Ill 

-   112 

-   113 

.   114 

-   115 

-   116 

-   117 

-   118 

-   119 

-   121 

• 

.   122 

- 

-   123 

• 

•   124 

i 

-   125 

. 

.   128 

- 

-   127 

- 

-   128 

. 

-   129 

. 

.   130 

. 

-   131 

• 

.   132 

. 

•   133 

. 

-   134 

. 

-   136 

•         • 

-   137 

-   141 

•   142 

-   143 

-   146 

-   146 

.   149 

-   150 

XYl 


CONTENTS. 


Latin  Letter  by  O.  P. 

The  Translation 

The  Debtors 

Services  unrewarded 

Magdalen-Asylum 

Conversion  of' J.  W.  C. 

Happy  Death  of  J.  W.  C. 

Satan  and  Ned  Craig  vanquished 

Bridewell 

Conversion  of  R. 

A  Prisoner  in  Chains 

His  Field  of  Labour  enlarged 

A  Stranger  on  the  Earth 

Zeno  and  Seaeca 


Page 
J  51 
]52 
153 
154 
155 
15G 
158 
159 
160 
161 
162 
163 
164 
165 


CHAPTER  IX. 

His  first  Sermon  in  the  New- York  Hospital 

Military  Hospital 

Grateful  Sailors 

A  Magdalen  reclaimed  » 

Happy  Death  of  J.  R. 

Dreadful  Consequences  of  Infidelity 

The  Hatred  of  Ahab 

Society  of  the  United  Brethren 

Letter  to  A.  B.  Esq. 

Schools  in  the  State-Prison  '<■ 

Another  Victim  of  Seduction  saved 

Catechism  for  the  Young  Prisoners 

Triumphs  of  the  Gospel 

Ordination  of  Mr.  Elliott 

Horrible  Consequences  of  Deism 

Recantation  * 

Conversion  of  W.  S.  L.  - 

School  in  tlie  Hospital 

Colonel  Golden  - 

Chapel  in  the  Debtor's  Prison  - 

Cold  Water  Toasts 

Schools  examined 

The  tempted  Stranger 

Letter  to  Mr.  W.  S. 

lliot  in  the  State -Prison 

Mr.  Stanford  in  the  Pulpit 


166 

167 

168 

169 

170 

171 

172 

173 

174 

176 

177 

178 

179 

170 

181 

182 

]83 

184 

185 

186 

187 

188 

189 

190 

193 

194 


CHAPTER  X. 


Services  in  the  Public  Institutions 

Death  of  Mrs.  Isabella  Graham 

A  Sudden  Death 

Funeral  of  Mrs.  Isabella  Graham 

Conversion  of  G.  B. 

A  Brand  plucked  out  of  t]ie  Fire 


195 
196 
197 
198 
199 
200 


CONTENTS. 


XVll 


Interesting  Cases 

Improvements  in  Bridewell 

His  Labours  blessed 

Another  good  Day's  Work 

Out-door  Patients 

Pardons 

Sermon  on  the  Death  of  Elijah  Hunter,  Esq. 

Two  Men  under  Sentence  of  Deatii 

Letter  from  the  Hon.  Richard  Stanford 

Death  of  the  Hon.  Richard  Stanford 

^»evv  Ahns-Honse 

Manuscript  Book  lost 

Resignation  in  Death 

Sabbath  Breakers  converted 

Letter  from  Governor  Tompkihs 

Conditional  Pardons 


2(fl 

202 
203 
204 
205 
206 
207 
203 
209 
210 
211 
212 
213 
214 
215 
216 


CHAPTER  XL 

Visit  of  President  Monroe 

The  Chaplain  highly  commended 

Conversion  of  H.  T. 

Happy  Death  of  H.  T. 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton 

The  Sandbank 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  Peter  Mortimer 

Conversion  of  W.  L. 

Letter  from  the  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Spicer 

An  Infant  Disciple 


218 
219 
220 
2^22 
223 
224 
225 
226 
227 
2.30 


CHAPTER  Xn. 


The  Gospel  preached  to  Lunatics 
Mr.  Stanford's  Labours  appreciated 
Six  Sermons  preached  in  one  Day 
Narrative  of  George  Vanderpool 
Extraordinary  amount  of  Labour 


232 
233 
234 
235 
240 


CHAPTER  Xin. 


Visit  to  the  South 

Short  Sermons 

Funeral  of  John  Withington 

The  South  Baptist  Church         ♦ 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cox 

Diana  Sellick  saved  from  the  Gallows 


241 

242 
243 
244 
245 
251 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Letter  to  the  Hon.  Nicholas  Brown 
Concern  for  the  Welfare  of  Mariners 
Another  Benevolent  Plan  proposed 


253 
B54 
255 


XVlll 


CONTENTS. 


Importance  of  Educating  Seamen 
I^etter  from  Captain  Perry,  U.  S.  N. 
Deatli  of  William  Stanford 
Awful  Steam-Boat  Explosion 
Dying  Experience  of  the  Sufferers 
A  Memorial  of  the  Lord's  Goodness 
Crossing  the  Bar  of  Old  Age 
Grateful  Reminiscences 
Benefits  of  Affliction  acknowledged 
His  Children  Fear  the  Lord 
Christ  the  only  Refuge  for  the  Soul 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Mr.  Stanford's  Portrait 

The  Murderer  of  Captain  West 

The  grand  Canal  Celebration 

(Jrigin  of  the  New-York  House  of  Refuge  - 

Address  to  the  Mayor  and  Corporation 

Plan  of  the  proposed  Institution 

Ways  and  Means 

Concluding  Remarks 

Location  of  the  House  of  Refuge 

Dedication  Sermon 

Present  Number  of  Inmates 

The  Prisoner's  Companion 

Merit  disclaimed 

The  Foundation  re-exanuned 


256 
257 
258 
259 
2i»0 
261 
262 
263 
264 
265 
266 


263 
269 
270 
271 
272 
273 
275 
276 
277 
278 
279 
280 
281 
262 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Death  of  the  Rev.  C.R.  Duffle                  -            -            -            -  284 

Letter  from  the  Hon.  Charles  Carroll          ....  jgc'5 

Gratitude  for  Divine  Favours                       ....  286 

Origin  of  the  New-York  Mechanics'  School                        -            -  287 

(lood  Advice  to  a  Physician                          ....  2S8 

Sabbath  Schools                                             -            -            -            -  289 

Closing  the  Year  with  Prayer                      ....  290 

Key.  John  Stanford,  D.  D.                           -            -            -            -  291 
Origin  of  the  Institution  for  the   Instruction  of  Deaf  l^Iutes  in 

New-York                                             -            -            -            -  298 

l^etter  from  the  Hon.  Philip  Hone,  Esq.     ....  294 

The  Aged  Christian's  Cabinet                     -            -            -            -  295 

The  Everlasting  Sabbatism                         -            -            -            -  296 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Letter  to  Mrs.  Wetraore 

Prayer  for  the  Light  of  Life 

The  Stanford  Library  at  Bellevue 

Tract  on  Morning  and  Evening  Devotion  - 

Letter  to  Mrs.  Wetmore 


298 
299 
300 
301 
302 


CONTENTS. 


xix 


Tiie  Ebenezer 

Bigotry  disclaimed 

His  last  Annual  Census 

Tic  Douloureux 

The  Domestic  Chaplain 

His  last  Letter  to  Mrs.  Wetraore 

Dr.  Stanford's  last  Tract 

An  Affecting  Scene 

Last  Letter  to  the  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton 

Rev.  Drs.  Brownlee,  Knox,  and  De  Witt 

Dr.  Stanford's  Decease 

Letters  of  Condolence 

Summary  View 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  Spencer  H.  Cone 

APPENDIX 

Preface 

Memoir  of  the  Rev.  John  Williams 

Memoir  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin,  D.  D. 

Memoir  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Furman,  D.  D. 


Page 
303 
304 
305 
306 
307 
308 
309 
310 
311 
313 
314 
314 
315 

319 

336 


343 
345 

369 
405 


M  E  M  O  I  R. 


CHAPTER  I. 

niRTH    AND    EDUCATION EARLY    RELIGIOUS    IMPRESSIONS'-^ 

SETTLEMENT    AT    HAMMESUMITH. 

is  attempting  to  portray  the  character  and  life  of  a 
(ievoted  minister  of  Christ,  it  would  seem  natural  to 
exclaim  in  the  language  of  the  pious  bard-^ 

"  Some  angel  guide  my  pencil,  while  I  draw, 
What  nothing  else  than  angel  can  exceed> 
A  man  on  earth  devoted  to  the  skies, 
With  aspect  mild,  and  elevated  eye. 
Behold  him  seated  on  a  mount  serene, 
i^bove  the  fogs  of  sense,  and  passions'  storm; 
All  the  black  cares  and  tumults  of  this  life, 
Like  harmless  thunders  breaking  at  his  feet, 
Excite  his  pity,  not  impair  his  peace." 

.Tohn  Stanford,  the  only  son  of  William  and  Mary 
Stanford,  was  born  October  20th,  1754,  at  Wands- 
worth, in  Surry,  Great-Britain.  Until  the  tenth  year 
of  his  age,  we  are  not  in  possession  of  any  facts  which 
would  1)6  interesting  to  the  reader ;  but  from  that 
period,  his  uncle,  George  Stanford,  to  whom  he  stood 
iieir  at  law,  took  charge  of  his  education,  and  placed 
him  in  a  respectable  seminary.  Here  he  experienced 
iuany  discouragements  from  the  inattention  and  un- 
kindness  of  his  tutors;   notwithstanding  which,  his 


14  HLs  riRST  >i:Faous  impressions. 

industry  and  application  enabled  him  to  make  a 
creditable  proficiency;  and  when  about  sixteen  years 
of  age,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine. 

His  early  life  appears  not  to  have  been  corrupted 
by  those  vices  which  have  proved  fatal  to  millions ; 
but,  regulated  by  the  influence  of  religious  instruc- 
tion, his  deportment  was  characterised  by  a  proper 
degree  of  sedateness,  and  his  mind  frequently  exer- 
cised with  conviction  of  sin  in  view  of  a  future  state. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  so  sensibly  impressed 
with  thoughts  of  eternity,  arising  from  the  prema- 
ture death  of  a  classmate,  that  he  ate  or  drank  but 
little  for  several  days.  These  convictions,  however, 
were  of  comparatively  short  duration. 

While  residing  in  the  seminary  at  Wandsworth, 
he  would  sometimes,  on  a  rainy  Sabbath,  collect  a, 
number  of  the  students  in  his  own  room,  and  thus, 
by  reading  prayers  and  a  printed  sermon,  encourage 
that  holy  keeping  of  the  Lord's  day  which  the  public 
worship  of  God  was  intended  to  promote. 

In  his  sixteenth  year  he  wrote  two  sermons,  one 
on  "  the  crucifixion,''^  founded  upon  Luke  xxiii.  33, 
and  another  on  "  the  harmony  of  divine  aftribtifes,'' 
from  Psalm  Ixxxv.  10,  "  both  of  which,"  he  says, 
''  when  God  had  further  enlightened  my  understand- 
ing, I  destroyed."— This  amiable  but  merely  moral 
course,  in  a  mind  peculiarly  constituted  and  religiously 
predisposed  by  the  habits  of  education,  naturally  pro- 
duced a  Pharisaical  spirit,  and  an  unfounded  hope  of 
salvation  by  the  works  of  the  law. 

The  death  of  his  father  (March  24,  1772,)  when  he 
was  only  seventeen  years  of  age,  induced  him  to  return 
home  to  reside  with  his  widowed  mother,  where,  for 
many  months,  he  privately  pursued  his  studies  by 
every  means  in  his  power,  and  with  evident  success. 

From  his  diary  it  appears,  that  he  was  at  this  time 
a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  highly  op- 
posed to  every  one  of  a  different  persuasion.     At  this 


CONFIRMATION.  15 

period  a  young  gentleman,  (Mr.  Potter)  the  son  of  a 
iiighly  respectable  family,  was  reported  to  have  left 
his  '•'■  parish  church,'^  and  attended  a  chapel  of  the  dis- 
senters. Although  young  Stanford  had  no  personal 
intimacy  with  Mr.  P.  he  appears  to  have  been  much 
displeased  with  his  conduct  in  this  instance,  and  ac- 
cordingly wrote  him  a  letter,  in  which  he  ridiculed 
ail  sectaries,  and  unguardedly  censured  that  practice 
which  he  has  since  acknowledged  to  be,  "  the  good 
ways  ot  the  Lord."  This  letter  appears  to  have 
afforded  him  a  degree  of  present  exultation,  but  was 
subsequently  followed  with  many  tears. 

Upon  the  subject  of  his  own  religious  course,  he 
says — "  Notice  being  given  in  the  imrish  church,  that 
a  confirmation  would  be  attended  by  the  bishop,  at 
Lambeth,  about  five  miles  from  London,  and  that 
candidates  should  apply  to  the  curate  for  examination, 
I  was  anxious  to  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity.  1 
was  however  advised  first  to  consult  my  uncle,  who 
was  also  my  '  god-father ,''  and  upon  whose  favour 
ail  my  worldly  prospects  were  suspended.  When  I 
mentioned  the  subject  to  him,  he  kindly  replied :  '  It 
is  well  enough  that  young  people  should  be  confirmed, 
and  as  an  opportunity  offers,  yes,  you  may  go ;  espe- 
cially as  some  of  your  young  companions  will  make 
up  a  party,  and  that  will  serve  as  a  holiday.'  I  then 
repaired  to  the  curate,  who,  being  informed  that  I 
could  say  'the  creed,  the  Lord's  prayer,  and  the  ten 
commandments,'  said,  '  you  are  sufficiently  qualified 
for  confirmation.'  "  He  was  accordingly  confirmed  ; 
and  upon  this  subject  he  remarks  ; — "  This  act  did 
undoubtedly  very  much  contribute  to  the  establish- 
ment of  my  belief,  that  by  my  infant  baptism  I  was 
*  regenerated,  made  a  child  of  God,  and  an  inheritor 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  From  this  time  I  con- 
cluded my  moral  state  secure — nothing  more  was  now 
necessary,  to  make  me  a  Christian.  A  most  delusive 
snare  to  me— to  thousands  !" 


IC  RELIGIOUS  TRACTS. 

His  veneration  for  the  Lord's  day  appears  to  have 
been  generally  commendable.  But,  on  a  particular 
occasion,  he  yielded  to  the  earnest  solicitations  of 
some  young  persons,  to  accompany  them  on  a  party 
of  pleasure  upon  the  river.  When  returning  they 
were  in  imminent  danger  of  being  drowned,  but 
heaven  interposed  to  save  them  from  a  watery  grave. 
Their  merciful  preservation  at  this  time,  made  an 
iuipression  upon  his  mind,  which  effectually  secured 
him  against  every  future  temptation  to  desecrate  the 
hallowed  Sabbath  of  the  Lord.  Several  years  after 
this  event,  he  wrote  a  twelve  page  tract,  entitled 
*'  The  Lord's  Day,"  which  has  been  widely  circu- 
lated, and  is  deservedly  regarded  as  among  the  best 
publications  upon  that  subject.  As  an  evidence  of 
his  early  labours  in  the  tract  cause,  it  deserves  to  be 
recorded,  that  about  fifty-five  years*  ago,  he 
published  two  tracts,  in  London,  entitled  "  Criti- 

RIONS,  WHEREBY  THE  YOUNG  CHRISTIAN  MAY  TRY 
THE    REALITY    OF    HIS    PROFESSION,"     and    "  THE 

Celestial  Inhabitant,  or  Christ  dwelling  in 
THE  Hearts  of  his  People."  They  were  gra- 
tuitously and  extensively  distributed. 

In  relating  the  wonderful  story  of  his  conversion 
to  God,  he  remarks : — "  The  address  of  the  widow 
of  Tekoah  to  king  David,  on  behalf  of  his  exiled  son 
Absalom,  God  '  deviseth  means,  that  his  banished  be 
not  expelled  from  him,'  (2  Sam.  xiv.  14,)  has  indeed 
been  verified  in  my  experience.  Means,  the  most 
simple,  and  least  expected,  are  often  employed  by 
the  Lord  to  produce  the  most  important  results;  par- 
ticularly in  bringing  sinners  from  the  error  of  their 
way,  to  taste  the  sweetness  of  redeeming  love,  and 


*  The  London  Religious  Tract  Society,  which  is  the  parent  of  all  the 
principal  Tract  Societies  at  present  existing  in  the  world,  commenced 
its  operations  in  1799,  which  was  nineteen  years  after  the  time  wiieu  Mr, 
Stanford  published  the  above  named  tract^j. 


INTERCOURSE  WITH  MR. CLEEVE  HOOPER.        17 

rest  beneath  the  covert  of  Iminanuel's  wings.     Such, 
I  humbly  trust,  has  been  God's  unspeakable  goodness 
to  me,  at  a  time  when  I  was  wrapped  in  pharisaical 
security,  ignorant  of  myself,  and  far,  very  far  from 
the    saving    knowledge   of  Jesus    Christ.     Under   a 
sermon,  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Romaine,  it  pleased 
God  to   manifest  his  grace  to  Mr.  Cleeve  Hooper, 
who  had  been  my  classmate.     Although  in  our  aca- 
demical  intercourse    no   particular  attachment   was 
developed,  yet  no  sooner  was  Mr.  Hooper  brought  to 
the  enjoyment  of  a  hope  of  salvation   through  the 
sacrifice  of  Christ,  than  he  began  to  discover  a  deep 
solicitude   for    my   spiritual  welfare.     He   therefore 
made  me  a  visit,  dropped  a  i'ew  religious  words  in 
conversation,  on  purpose  to  try  the  state  of  my  heart; 
which,  notwithstanding  my  boasted  morality,  he  easily 
perceived  was  very  far  from  being  right  with  God. 
Although  he  lived  at  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  yet  he 
repeated  his   visits  frequently — spoke  of  man's   de- 
pravity— the  necessity  of  being  born  again — a  total 
renunciation  of  all  human  merit — complete  redemp- 
tion by  the  blood  of  Christ — and  the  absolute  necessity 
of  faith,  in  order  to  '  walk  with  God,'  and  bear  fruit 
to  his  glory.     These  sentiments  I  did  not  take  upon 
me  to  contradict;  but,  I  must  confess,  my  heart  arose 
in  opposition  to  them.    Several  months  elapsed  before 
Mr.  Hooper  ventured  to  attack  my  strong  holds  of 
self-righteousness,  but,  at  length  he   presented  the 
alarming  statements  of  the  Bible  respecting  the  holi- 
ness, spirituality,  and  extent  of  the  law  of  God,  in  its 
precepts  and  demands — the  insufficiency  of  our  own 
righteousness,   and  the  absolute   necessity  of  being 
divested  of  all  legal  hopes;   before  the  sinner  will 
submit  to  God,  and  be  willing  to  accept  of  salvation 
by  the  righteousness  of  Christ.     This   left  a  slight 
conviction  on  my  mind,  and,  from  the  passages  of 
Scripture  which  he  produced  in  support  of  his  own 
sentiments,  I  was  led  to  conclude  that  these  things 

2* 


18  PRIVATE  PRAYER. 

were  true.  I  now  began  to  feel  a  desire  to  know 
myself,  and  to  be  saved  from  my  sins.  Mr.  Ifooj3er 
perceiving  he  had  at  least  obtained  access  to  my  ear, 
and  that  I  began  better  to  approve  of  his  religious 
conversation,  sent  me  Romaine's  treatise  on  "  The 
Life  of  Faith,"  accompanied  with  an  affectionate 
note.  On  Mr.  Hooper's  next  visit,  he  explained  to 
me  the  office  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  enlighten  the  dark 
mind,  to  testify  of  Christ,  and  to  lead  the  soul  inio 
happy  communion  with  God.  I  felt  much  distressed 
that  I  knew  nothing  of  these  things,  and  concluded  I 
was  far  from  being  in  a  state  of  safety. 

"  After  the  departure  of  my  friend  I  retired  to  my 
chamber  with  a  desire  to  pray,  in  hope  of  obtaining 
relief.  1  prostrated*myself  before  the  Lord,  but  my 
mind  was  covered  with  darkness — not  one  suitable 
thought  did  I  possess  of  the  majesty  of  the  supreme 
Being  whom  I  was  about  to  address.  All  was  dark- 
ness and  confusion — 1  cried  out,  '  O  Lord,  I  do  not 
know  thee ;  how  then  shall  I  pray.'  I  arose  with 
conscious  shame  ;  hastily  left  my  chamber,  and  went 
many  days  mourning  over  a  hard,  ignorant,  unbeliev- 
ing heart.  A  period  this,  which  it  is  not  probable  I 
shall  ever  forget,  as  it  was  the  first  time  I  might  be 
said  to  realize  my  fallen  and  sinful  state. 

*'  One  day  while  reading  the  fifty-fourth  chapter 
of  Isaiah,  I  received  great  encouragement  from  the 
thirteenth  verse  :  '  All  thy  children  shall  be  taught 
of  the  Lord  ;  and  great  shall  be  the  peace  of  thy 
children.'  After  this  I  retired  for  prayer,  earnestly 
pleading  this  gracious  promise,  and  found  thereby  a 
very  great  increase  of  earnest  desires  after  the  Lord. 
1  could  not  rest  satisfied  ;  but  panted  after  the  enjoy- 
ment of  that  real  good,  which  I  was  unable  to  describe. 
If  walking  the  streets,  at  home,  or  abroad,  I  every 
where  felt  an  engagedness  of  heart  for  spiritual  bless- 
ings unknown  to  me  before.  While  sitting  in  my 
chamber  meditating  upon  the  wonderful  mercy  of  the 


THE  PACK  OF  CARDS  BURIED.         19 

Lord,  T  cast  my  eyes  upon  a  pack  of  cards,  to  the  use 
of  which  I  had  been  greatly  addicted  ;  I  instantly 
seized  and  carried  them  into  the  garden,  and  threw 
them  into  a  trench  dug  to  receive  some  plants,  and 
covered  them  up.  Thus  I  left  the  book  of  cards  and 
embraced  the  book  of  God,  which  I  hope  will  be  the 
means  of  my  enjoying  more  abundant  and  more 
sublime  pleasures. 

"  About  this  time  my  raind  was  greatly  distressed 
on  account  of  having  received  the  Lord's  supper 
when  1  was  in  an  unconverted  state,  and  merely  as 
constituting  a  pubUc  profession  ;  thereby,  as  I  con- 
cluded, having  sealed  my  own  condemnation,  '  not 
discerning  the  Lord's  body.'  Moreover,  my  conduct 
to  Mr.  Potter,  the  young  gentleman  already  named, 
gave  me  great  disquietude,  and  had  a  tendency  to 
show  me,  how  far  my  pharisaical  zeal  had  influenced 
me  to  throw  stumbling-blocks  in  the  way  of  others 
who  were  concerned  for  their  salvation.  Ti)is  subject 
produced  much  uneasiness  of  mind,  nor  could  I  rest 
until  I  had  formed  an  acquaintance  with  him,  and 
acknowledged  with  regret  that  I  was  the  author  of 
the  letter  already  alluded  to.  It  pleased  God  go  far 
to  bless  this  resolution,  that  a  mutual  friendship  was 
produced,  and  we  walked  together  many  years  in  the 
ways  of  Christian  obedience.  Glory  be  to  tiie  Lord 
for  this  instance  of  his  sovereiH"n.i]i:oodness. 

"  As  to  the  general  exercises  of  my  mind  for  several 
months,  hope  and  fear,  pleasure  and  pain,  alternately 
occupied  my  heart.  Sometimes  cold  and  indifferent, 
then  warm  desires  expressed  in  the  language  of  David, 
'  O  that  1  had  wings  like  a  dove,  then  would  I  fly  away, 
and  be  at  rest.'  About  this  time,  my  uncle  invited 
me  to  join  a  party  of  young  persons  to  visit  VauxhrJl 
Gardens,  a  place  of  carnal  pleasure.  This  was  not 
only  a  strong  temptation,  but  a  source  of  great  dis- 
tress— my  temporal  interest  1  knew  depended  upon 
his  favour,  and  I  had  not  fortitude  sufficient  to  refuse, 


20  PRAYERFUL  STUDY  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

although  compliance  created  intense  agony  of  niinJ: 
In  the  garden  I  seemed  as  if  in  the  infernal  regions- 
music,  singing,  exhibitions,  company,  all,  all  was  in 
opposition  to  the  state  of  my  feelings,  and  filled  my 
heart  with  sorrow.  However,  1  found  some  consola- 
tion in  contemplating  the  alteration  in  my  own  mind, 
for  I  had  never  before  considered  such  amusements 
as  incompatible  with  Christianity.  This  consideration 
was  the  more  welcome,  as  it  enabled  me  upon  scrip- 
tural principles,  to  conclude,  that  God  must  have 
produced  this  great  and  surprising  change  in  my 
ojiinions  and  feelings." 

Shortly  after  this,  Mr.  Hooper  commenced  a  syste- 
matic correspondence  with  Mr.  S.  which  was  blessed 
of  God  as  a  means  of  his  spiritual  improvement  in 
the  knowledge  of  Christ.  The  writings  of  Hervey, 
Jones,  Romaine,  and  especially  a  pamphlet,  entitled 
"  A  Drop  of  Honey  from  the  Rock  Christ,"  (the  work 
of  Wilcox,  one  of  the  early  Baptist  ministers  of  Lon- 
don,) were  also  very  useful  to  him.  But  above  all, 
the  sacred  volume  appears  to  have  been  the  chief 
source  of  his  consolation.  Through  this  celestial 
medium,  he  was  enabled  to  contemplate  the  person, 
offices,  vicarious  sacrifice,  grace,  and  promises,  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  as  exactly  suited  to  his  necessities.  Thus 
did  the  Holy  Spirit  mercifully  conduct  and  shine  upon 
his  soul,  to  dispel  the  moral  darkness  and  to  enable 
him  to  say  with  David,  "  Into  thy  hands  I  commit  my 
spirit,  for  thou  hast  redeemed  me,  O  Lord  God  of 
truth." 

From  this  time  his  mind  was  directed  to  the  pray- 
erful study  of  the  Holy  Bible,  in  every  part  of  which, 
he  seems  to  have  discovered  the  glory  of  Christ,  as 
John  beheld  the  apocalyptic  angel,  standing  in  the 
midst  of  the  sun. 

Like  the  primitive  Baptist,  the  public  ministry  of 
John  Stanford  commenced  amongst  the  poor. 

Divine  Providence  so  ordered  it,  that  shortly  after 


ABANDONED  BY  HIS  UNCLE.  21 

his  conversion,  he  was  frequently  invited  to  visit  the 
sick  and  dying  ;  and  on  these  occasions  he  g-enerally 
nsed  the  form  of  prayer  prescribed  by  the  Episcopal 
Church.  But,  upon  this  subject,  he  remarks,  "  being 
one  day  requested  to  attend  an  unhappy  man,  whose 
criminal  indulgencies  had  prostrated  his  vital  energies, 
and  brought  him  to  the  gates  of  death;  I  found  that 
the  form  of  prayer,  although  generally  very  excellent, 
did  not  suit  the  peculiarities  of  his  case."  On  this 
occasion  he  for  the  first  time,  in  the  presence  of 
others,  ventured  to  express  his  desires  to  God,  by 
extemporaneous  prayer. 

Not  enjoying  the  stated  ministry  of  the  Gospel  in 
his  native  town,  he  embraced  every  opportunity  of 
going  to  London,  where,  to  his  great  edification,  and 
growth  in  grace ;  he  heard  the  Rev.  Mr.  Romaine, 
and  other  evangelical  ministers  of  Christ.  Here  fof 
a  time,  he  seemed  to  ''  lie  doicn  in  green  pastures,''* 
and  to  be  led  ^^  beside  the  still  icaters;^^  but,  as  in  the 
case  of  Israel,  who  had  no  sooner  passed  over  Jordan, 
than  they  were  met  by  the  Canaanites,  so,  although 
to  him  unknown,  the  hour  and  the  powers  of  darkness 
were  at  hand. — In  his  journal  he  remarks : — "  Passing 
over  Wandsworth  bridge  in  a  very  happy  frame  of 
mind  ;  [  w^as  strongly  tempted  to  question  whether  I 
was  a  child  of  God,  as  I  was  exempted  from  those 
afflictions  to  which  in  the  Scriptures,  the  saints  are 
said  to  be  appointed.  Little  did  I  then  think  I  was 
so  near  the  furnace,  much  less,  that  I  should  wear 
the  badge  of  afiiiction  so  many  years.  By  some  un- 
known persons,  it  was  intimated  to  my  uncle,  that 
his  nephew  had  become  *'  strangely  religious,  left  his 
church,  and  went  after  dissenters.^*  This  intelligence 
greatly  exasperated  him  ;  and  one  day  as  he  was 
})assing  by  my  window,  he  saw  me  readinsr  a  religious 
liook,  which  had  a  tendency  to  confirm  his  suspicion, 
and  he  withdrew  his  attention  from  me.  From  this 
time  our  intercourse  was  cut  oiT,  and  I  saw  him  no 


22    DEATH  OF  HIS  UNCLE  AND  HIS  MOTHER. 

more,  until  his  death,  which  occured  after  a  few 
weeks  of  continement  to  his  chamber  !  On  inquiry 
concerning  his  affairs,  1  found  he  had  altered  his  will, 
left  his  property  to  an  indifferent  person  ;  and  be- 
queathed no  more  to  me,  than  enough  to  answer  the 
requisition  of  the  law  in  my  favour  as  his  heir.  After 
so  many  years  sanguine  expectation,  at  the  very 
period  when  his  assistance  seemed  to  be  indispensably 
necessary  to  my  advancement  in  public  life;  to  have 
my  earthly  support  fail,  and  my  prospects  suddenly 
blasted  ;  was  certainly  a  severe  trial.  Young  in  ex- 
perience, I  could  not  then  penetrate  the  designs  of 
Providence  in  that  event;  but  it  afforded  me  great 
satisfaction  to  feel  entirely  conscious,  that  I  had  not 
procured  this  treatment  by  any  imprudent  or  sinful 
conduct ;  but  only,  because  I  '  had  become  religions, 
and  had  gone  after  the  dissenters.'' 

"  When  subsequently  I  w^ilked  over  those  fields 
which  my  late  uncle  had  so  often  told  me  should  be 
mine,  I  confess  that  1  felt  a  degree  of  disappointment ; 
but  I  was  assisted  to  reflect,  that  if  my  heavenly 
Father  knew  that  the  possession  of  these  fields  would 
have  been  for  my  good,  I  most  certainly  should  have 
inherited  them.  This  consideration  entirely  recon- 
ciled me  to  the  dispensations  of  heaven,  and  enabled 
me  to  say,  '  Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done.' 

*'  But  no  sooner  was  my  uncle  deposited  in  his  grave, 
and  my  mind  in  a  great  degree  relieved  from  the 
distress  which  his  conduct  towards  me  had  produced, 
than  a  far  greater  affliction  was  prepared  for  the  trial 
of  my  faith.  My  mother  was  now  about  forming  a 
second  marriage,  but  she  was  suddenly  taken  very  ill 
with  a  bilious  fever,  and,  within  the  time  appointed 
for  her  nuptials,  she  was  conveyed  to  the  silent  tomb. 

"  This  sudden  and  painful  bereavment,  which  de- 
volved upon  me,  the  charge  of  three  sisters,  the  oldest 
not  more  than  twelve  years  of  age,  with  but  a  dark 
prospect  before  me,  almost  bowed  me  down  to  the  dust. 


MR.  STANFORD  REMOVES  TO  HAMMERSMITH.     23 

But  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  adopt  the  prayer  of  David 
— '  Guide  me  in  the  way  in  which  I  should  go,  for  I 
lift  up  my  soul  unto  thee.'  This  affliction  was  greatly 
augmented  by  a  near  relative  who  took  possession  of 
my  mother's  property,  under  a  pretext  of  obligations 
due  to  him  from  my  deceased  father,  and  we  were 
left  not  merely  orphans,  but  destitute  of  the  means  of 
support.— In  the  evening,  while  sitting  alone  in  the 
parlour,  quite  disconsolate,  and  without  an  earthly 
friend  in  whom  1  could  confide,  it  pleased  God  sensibly 
to  apply  to  my  mind  this  appropriate  and  invaluable 
promise — '  Verily  thou  shalt  be  fed.'  Psalm  xxxvii.  3. 
It  was  indeed  the  voice  of  God,  speaking  comfort  to 
my  disconsolate  heart.  True,  the  Lord  by  this  pro- 
mise did  not  say  when,  where,  w  ith  what,  nor  by  what 
means  I  should  be  fed ;  but  it  was  enough  for  me  at 
that  time  to  be  assured,  that  a  supply  should  be 
granted.  Nevertheless,  during  the  ensuing  two  weeks 
the  cloud  seemed  to  grow  darker.  I  now  made  my 
last  visit  to  Samuel  Naylor,  Esq,  attorney  in  London, 
in  order  to  settle  my  mother's  affairs.  At  the  close 
of  business,  and  finding  that  I  had  been  bereft  of  all, 
Mr.  Naylor  expressed  his  generous  concern  for  my 
afflictions,  and  asked  me  what  now  were  my  pros- 
pects ?  I  told  him,  that  as  to  the  result  I  was  of 
course  ignorant,  but  that  my  reliance  was  wholly  upoM 
the  Lord.  I  then  knew  not  that  Mr.  Naylor  was  a 
professor  of  religion.  He  replied,  *  A  minister  who 
keeps  a  boarding-school  at  the  place  where  1  have 
my  country-house  ;  is  going  to  live  upon  an  estate  in 
Northamptonshire,  left  him  by  his  grand-father,  and 
if  you  choose  to  accept  the  settlement,  I  will  secure  it 
for  you.'  To  this  I  objected,  having  no  property; 
but  Mr.  Naylor  generously  engaged  to  become  respon- 
sible for  me,  and  his  offer  was  gratefully  accepted." 

Mr.  Stanford's  removal  to  Hammersmith  was  not 
only  attended  with  many  temporal  comforts,  but  ulti- 
mately led  to  the  establishment  of  a  church  in  that 


24  HIS  CALL  TO  THE  CIIRLSTLVN  MINISTRY. 

j)lacc.  Tims  did  the  J.ord  show  him,  that  his  "  way 
is  in  tlje  whirlwind,  and  the  clouds  are  the  dust  of  his 
feet.''  In  this  field  of  usefulness  he  continued  to 
la!)our  witii  successful  assiduity,  until  the  Holy  Spirit, 
the  Providence  of  God,  and  the  Church  of  Christ, 
with  united  voice,  called  him  to  the  more  exalted  and 
responsihlc  duties  of  the  Christian  ministry. 


CHAPTER  II. 

iiE     EXAMINES    THE    VALIDITY    OF     INFANT    BAPTISM— JOINS 
THE    CHURCH    UNDER    THE     CARE    OF    THE    RE-V.    BENJAMIN 

WALLIN ORDAINED    TO    THE    WORK    OF    THE    MINISTRY-^ 

COMMENCES    IIIS    DIARY. 

Having  detailed  the  prominent  incidents  in  the  his^ 
tory  of  young  Stanford's  hfe,  up  to  the  period  when, 
surrounded  with  an  accumulation  of  earthly  cares,  he 
i(vas  thrown  upon  the  Providence  of  God  and  his  own 
resources;  we  shall  present  an  extract  from  his  diary, 
which  will  disclose  the  exercises  of  his  mind  respect- 
ing heliever^s  haftism^  at  the  time  he  made  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  and  became  a  member  of  that 
denomination  which  he  continued  to  adorn,  until,  from 
the  toils  of  the  wilderness,  he  was  removed  to  enjoy 
the  substantial  bliss  of  the  paradise  above, 

A  change  of  opinion  is  no  uncommon  event,  even 
amongst  men  of  sound  and  discriminating  minds.  But 
when  such  changes  occur^  and  stand  connected  with 
the  voluntary  sacrifice  of  every  prospect  of  worldly 
emolument — when  they  sunder  the  dearest  ties  of 
consanguinity — and  when,  as  in  the  case  of  young 
Stanford,  there  is  a  voluntary  relinquishment  of  the 
strong  prepossessions  of  early  education^ — then  may 
it  \\\\.\\  truth  be  said,  that  the  event  not  only  demon- 
strates the  sincerity  of  the  individual,  but  becomes  a 
practical  commentary  on  the  importance  of  the  sub- 
ject which  occasioned  the  change. 

"  Truth,  though  sometimes  clad 
In  painful  lustre,  yet  is  always  welcome ; 
Dear  as  the  light  that  shows  the  lurking  roek ; 
'Tis  the  fair  star,  that  ne'er  into  the  main 
Descending,  leads  us  safely  on  through  stormy  life." 
o 


26     CONVERSATION  RESPECTING  DAPTI^:.!. 

The  autlior  hopes  that  it  will  not  be  rc^^arded  as 
invidious,  but  due  to  truth,  to  say,  that  in  the  historv 
of  the  Baptist  Churcli,  events  of  a  similar  description 
have  already  multiplied  beyond  computation  ;  and  they 
continue  to  recur  with  sucli  frequency,  as  to  have  well 
nigh  ceased  to  be  the  subject  of  particular  remark. 
Thes.e  repejated  instances  of  change,  from  pmlobapiism 
to  believer's  baptism,  cannot,  so  far  as  the  ministry  is 
concerned,  be  ascribed  to  the  hope  of  greater  jiecuni- 
ary  advantage  ;    because  that  end,  it  is  confidently 
believed,  would  in  most  cases  be  better  attained,  by 
remaining  in  the  communion  of  any  other  evangelical 
denomination.     It  is  moreover  an  invariable  practice, 
to  demand  a  scriptural  account  of  the  reasons  which 
have  led  to  the  change ;  and  no  person  can  be  ad- 
mitted as  a  private  inember,  much  less  as  a  rninisler 
of  the  Baptist  Uliurch,   unless  he  is  able  to  point  to 
those  parts  of  the  Bible  which  prove  the  immersion^* 
of  believers,  to  be,  ihc  baptism  of  the  Neiv  Testameni. 
Upon  this  subject   Mr.  Stanford  remarks: — "  Edu- 
cated in  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established, 
I  was  very   warmly  attached  to  its   services,     i^lr. 
Hooper,  in  conversation  one  day,  asked  me,  if  I  had 
thought  on  the  validity  of  my  baptism  ?     I  rej)lied,  I 
have  no  doubt  of  the  validity  of  my  baptism :   the 
rector  performed  the  ceremony ;  my  uncle  was  god- 
father; and  my  baptismal  name  is  registered  in  the 
parish   church   book.    I  do   not   deny,    said  Mr.  H. 
but  that  you  may  have  liad  infant  baptism,  but  1 
wish  to  know^  if  you  believe  that  service  to  have  been 
commanded  by  the  Lord,  in  the  New  Testament  r    I 
answered,  that  I  had  never  thought  of  calling  my 


*  Upon  the  juitliority  of  nn  Episcopal  clergyman  of  this  city,  it  it< 
gratifying  to  be  permitted  to  state  a  fact,  which  is  not  generally  known  ; 
that:  '•  In  this  countiy.  baptism  by  immersion,  is  of  very  frequent  xv.- 
currence  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

''  The  minister  shall  di])  the  child  or  person  to  be  baptized  m  the  water.. 
ox  pour  water  upon  him.'' — Ruhicks  in  the  office  tor  bajjtmn. 


EXA.:,iI.\ATION  OF  INFANT  BAPTISM.  27 

baptism  in  question,  nor  examined  the  scriptures  on 
thi;  subjccl;.  More  to  gratify  my  friend,  than  frooi 
any  scruple  in  my  own  mind,  1  took  the  first  o[)por- 
tunity  to  inquire  into  tiie  scriptural  authority  for  my 
baptism.  This,  after  importunate  prayer  to  God 
\va9i  performed,  by  the  aid  of  the  New  Testament, 
and  a  concordance ;  which  enabled  me  to  turn  to  the 
words,  baptize,  baptism,  &c.  &c.  To  my  extreme 
mortiiication,  search  was  in  vain.  I  found  that  little 
children  were  brought  to  Jesus,  and  he  *  blessed 
ihem ;'  but  they  were  neither  baptized  by  him,  nor 
by  his  disciples.  Mark  x.  16.  I  found  many  pas- 
sages where  persons  were  said  to  be  baptized,  all  of 
them,  professing  to  believe,  Acts  viii.  37 — 39,  and  xviii. 
8  ;  repent,  Acts  ii.  38  ;  receive  the  word  gladly,  Acts  ii. 
41 ;  and  to,  go  on  their  way  rejoicing.  Acts  viii.  39. 
A  moment's  reflection  convinced  me,  that  in  my 
infant  baptism,  i  liad  not  possessed  any  of  these  pre- 
requisiies ;  because  unconscious  of  the  act,  it  having 
been  performed  by  others  on  my  behalf,  and  not  by 
any  previous  consent  of  my  own  mind.  I  likewise 
found,  that  whereas,  by  my  said  baptism,  I  had  been 
declared  to  be,  *  A  child  of  God,  and  an  inheritor  of 
the  kingdom  of  heaven:^  it  had  proved  a  delusive 
snare  to  my  soul,  and  prevented  me  from  seeing  the 
absolute  necessity  of  the  new  birth,  by  the  Spirit 
OF  God.  From  this  time  I  began  to  consider  myself 
an  unbaptized  person  ;  but  that  I  was  now  entitled  to 
the  ordinance  of  baptism,  seeing  I  had  obtained  mercy 
'  to  believe  to  the  saving  of  my  soul.'  Up  to  this  time 
I  had  never  witnessed  the  administration  of  the  ordin- 
ance according  to  tlie  practice  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
"  Perceiving  an  error  in  my  former  profession,  I 
proceeded  in  a  further  examination  of  the  subject. 
With  the  'New  Testament  in  my  hand,  I  found  that 
Christ  had  declared,  '  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this 
world ;^  but,  THE  CiiURCH  OF  ENGLAND,  is  established 
by  the  law  of  the  land  ;  and  forms  a  material  part  of 


28         FIRST  INTERVIEW  WITH  REV.  MR.  WALLIX. 

the  civil  constitution  ;  and  the  king  of  the  reahii  i# 
styled,  '  Head  of  the  Church,  and  Defender  or 
THE  Faith.'  I  also  recollected  that  the  Church  of 
England  considers  the  whole  nation  as  baptized  in 
infancy;  and  every  individual,  good  and  bad,  to  be 
members;  and  conse(|iiently  required  to  receive  the 
Lord's  supper.  Whereas  the  members  of  the  Church 
of  Christ,  as  described  in  the  scriptures,  are  said  to 
be,  '  regeneratecV — '  called  out  of  the  tcorUV — '  miv 
creatures^''  and  acknowledging  no  other  Lord  and 
King,  but  Jesus  Christ. 

*'  1  next  examined  the  doctrinal  articles  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  could  not  but  approve  of 
them  as  really  good.  I  recollected  also,  many  pious 
and  learned  ministers,  and  others  of  that  communion, 
to  whom  I  felt  the  most  affectionate  attachment. 
Duty,  however,  was  a  personal  concern ;  and  what 
ever  others  might  do,  according  to  what  they  had 
been  taught,  it  became  me  to  listen  to  the  voice  of 
Jesus — '  What  is  thai  to  thee,  follow  thou  me.''  This 
I  wished  to  do  in  humility  and  love;  at  the  same 
time,  possessing  the  most  sincere  regard  for  othert?, 
tJiough  not  united  to  the  same  denomination  with 
myself.  I  can  truly  say,  '  Grace,  mercy  and  peace, 
he  with  the  Israel  of  God.'*  At  this  time  I  was  in- 
troduced to  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Wallin,*  of  London  ; 
and  carefully  examined  the  principles  and  practices 


*  The  Rev.  Benjamin  Wallin,  was  for  more  than  forty  years,  the  devoted 
and  useful  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  iMaze-pond,  London.  Asa 
minister  of  the  Gospel  he  was  laborious,  aftectionate,  and  successful ;  nor 
were  his  efforts  to  promote  the  glory  of  God  and  the  moral  interests  of  the 
world,  circumscribed  by  the  bounds  of  his  own  congregation.  He  wa«  a 
man  of  public  spirit,  and  sincerely  attached  to  all  good  men. — .Mr.  Wallin 
was  one  of  the  ministers  who,  in  1772,  petitioned  parliament,  to  relieve 
dissenters  from  the  oppressive  law  which  required  them  to  subscribe  to 
tlie  articles  of  the  Church  of  England.  As  an  author  he  commenced  his 
career  in  1746,  and  attained  considerable  celebrity.  His  "  Pious  Memo- 
rials"— "  Memoirs  of  a  Young  Gendeman,  intended  as  a  warning  tu 
Deists,"  and  several  other  equally  meritorious  works,  give  ample  evidence 
of  his  fervent  piety,  and  of  a  sound  and  discriminating  mind. 


PERiSECUTIOxN  FOR  CO\SC[ENCE  SAKE.  29 

of  the  church  over  which  he  was  pastor,  and  found 
them  to  correspond  with  those  described  in  the  New 
Testament.  I  therefore  resolved,  in  the  fear  of  God, 
to  unite  with  that  people,  and  accordingly  offered 
myself  as  a  candidate  for  meuibership.  As  '  icith 
the  heart  rjtan  behecefh  unto  righieousnt'ss,^  so  '  icith 
the  ntGitth  confession  is  made  unto  salvation.'^  (Iloni. 
X.  10.)  I  therefore  declared  before  the  Church,  what  1 
believed  the  Lord  had  in  mercy  done  for  me  ;  and  was 
accepted,  baptized,  and  received  into  the  fellowship 
of  that  community,  as  a  baptized  church  of  Christ, 
where  I  enjoyed  much  of  the  povv^er  and  presence  of 
liie  I^ord  Jesus. 

"  Many  years  have  passed  av/ay  since  my  public 
baptism;  I  have  frequently  and  conscientiously  ex- 
amined tire  principles  upon  which  1  tlien  acted  :  1  have 
also  had  a  more  extensive  acquaintance  v/ith  the 
different  religious  denominations  of  Ciiristians,  and  a 
more  deep  penetration  into  tiie  woid  of  God;  and 
although  I  am  far  from  believing  that  Baptist  churches 
are  in  a  state  of  perfection,  yet  I  cannot  but  still  ap- 
prove of  that  denomination,  as  nearest  to  the  truth,  as 
it  is  in  Christ,  and  rejoice  in  the  profession  t  have 
made." 

Added  to  the  loss  of  his  uncle's  valuable  estate,  (to 
which  he  was  the  lawful  heir,  and  which  had  repeat- 
edly been  promised  to  him,)  in  consequence  of  his 
leaving  the  Episcopal  Chtirch,  and  attending  the 
ministry  of  dissenters;  he  now  experienced  much  of 
that  unkindness  which,  alas!  too  often  frowns  upon 
those  who  conscientiously  believe  that  Christ  and  his 
apostles  icere  Baptists  ;  and  that  therefore  duty  to  God 
requires  them  to  imitate  his  example.  But,  regard- 
less of  pecuniary  losses,  and  unyielding  amid  the  re- 
proaches of  his  relations  and  former  friends,  and  the 
odium  which  his  change  of  sentiment  on  the  subject  of 
baptism  occasionedj  he  seemed  with  holy  magnanimity, 
to  say : — 

3* 


30  Joseph's  coat  of  many  colours. 

*'  Hast  thou  the  cross  for  me  endur'd, 
And  all  the  shame  despis'd  ? 
And  shall  I  be  asham'd,  O  Lord, 
With  thee  to  be  baptiz'd  ? 

"  Didst  thou  the  great  example  lead, 
lu  Jordan's  swelling  flood  ? 
And  shall  my  pride  disdain  the  deed 
That's  worthy  of  my  God?" — 

From  the  foregoing  narrative,  it  does  not  appear 
that  his  conversion  can  be  referee!  to  any  particular 
period,  but  that  the  Lord  led  him  step  by  step,  like 
as  it  was  with  Ephraim ;  '^  I  loved  Mm,  and  called 
my  son  out  of  Egypt.  1  taught  Ephraim  also  to  go, 
taking  him.  by  the  hand;  I  drew  him  with  cords  of 
love,  and  with  the  bands  of  a  man.^'  (Ilosea  xi.)  His 
convictions  of  sin  were  not  as  pungent  and  overwhelm- 
ing as  do  sometimes  precede  the  joys  of  a  hope  in 
Christ ;  "  nevertheless,"  he  remarks  in  his  diary  ;  "  the 
God  of  my  mercy  has  done  that  for  me  which  I  coiihl 
not  have  performed  for  myself.  '  JVhercas  1  u-a.< 
hlind,  noiD  I  sec.'*  If  1  were  not  the  Lord's,  surely 
he  would  not  have  dealt  thus  kindly  with  me.  Glory 
be  to  his  unbounded  mercy  and  unchanging  grace!" 

The  subsequent  parts  of  this  narrative,  must  n.eces- 
sarily  exhibit  a  diversified  scene.  His  call  to  the 
ministry — public  ordination — success  and  discourage- 
ments— his  private  and  public  afflictions — leaving  hi& 
native  country — emigration  to  America — connections 
—travels — friends  and  foes — these,  with  their  attend- 
ant hopes,  fears,  pleasures  and  pains,  have  in  such 
close  succession  attended  his  steps,  that  he  was  ac- 
customed to  say,  that  Providence,  by  its  vicissitudes, 
seemed  to  have  furnished  him  with  "  a  Joseph's  coat 
of  many  colours." 

Although  like  David,  he  was  permitted  to  "  sing,'' 
both  ''  of  mercy  and  judgment,''''  and  to  testify  his  grati- 
tude to  that  Almighty  Saviour  by  whom  he  had  ofteii 


HE  COMxMITS  HIMSELF  TO  THE  LORD.  31 

been  miraculously  preserved,  "  nevertheless,"  he  re- 
marks; "  I  have  drunk  deep  of  the  truly  bitter  cup ; 
my  storms  have  been  more  violent  than  fall  to  the 
common  lot  of  men  ;  but  when  dej)rived  of  the  crea- 
ture, the  Lord  has  made  up  the  loss  in  the  enjoyment 
of  Himself,  and  proved  to  me  '  a  friend ^  that  sticketh 
closer  than  a  brother.''  " 

The  subjoined  extracts  may  serve  to  describe,  the 
light  in  which  he  contemplated  the  prospective  duties 
of  life,  and  the  ultimate  solemnities  of  a  dying  hour. 
"  My  future  prospects,  whether  temporal  or  sj)iritual, 
j)rivate  or  public,  I  most  cheerfully  leave  with  that 
good  and  gracious  Shepherd,  who  hath  hitherto  been 
jny  guide  and  unchangeable  friend.  May  thy  visita- 
tion preserve  my  heart  from  sin,  and  my  life  from 
evil,  that  I  may  walk  before  thee  in  the  light  of  the 
living."  At  a  subsequent  period,  and  when  treading 
the  declivity  of  life,  he  remarks:  "  My  death,  in  some 
form,  is  as  certain  as  the  decree  of  God.  The  time, 
the  place,  the  means,  with  every  attendant  circum- 
stance, I  leave  to  be  ordered  by  infinite  wisdom.  I 
have  known  much  of  mankind,  of  books,  of  the  world, 
and  something  of  my  own  heart,  and  I  cannot  but 
consider  it  a  most  important  point,  rightly  to  draw  the 
lines  of  life,  so  that  they  may  terminate  in  a  happy 
death.  To  Jesus,  who  lived  and  died  for  me,  I  re- 
sign the  circumstances  and  the  event  of  my  decease, 
believing  that  he  will  graciously  bestow  upon  me  that 
faith  which  will  sustain  me  in  the  solemn  hour."  In 
this  holy  expectation  he  was  not  disappointed.  Having 
thus  early  formed  his  purposes,  u]:>on  the  divine  plan, 
of  faith  in  Jesus  Christ — he  believed /^n///^ — loved  /cr- 
vently — prayed  carnesflf/ — walked  humhlij — laboured 
(UUgently — waited  patiently — and  died  triumphantly^ 
for  God  was  with  him. 

"  A  light  was  there, 
Whose  beam  was  kindled  from  above." 


32      Ills  PUBLIC  ORDINATION  TO  THE  MLMSTllV. 

The  following  abstract  of  the  account  of  the  public 
ordination  of  Mr.  Stanford  to  the  work  of  the  Chris- 
tian ministry,  was  found  amongst  his  papers,  and 
will,  it  is  hoped,  be  interesting  to  the  reader. 

ORDER  OF  EXERCISES. 

"  Prayer  by  tlie  Rev.  John  Reynolds, — Introductory 
address  by  the  Rev.  W.  Clarke, — Confession  of  faith 
by  Mr.  Stanford, — llyam,  and  charge  to  the  minister, 
by  the  Rev.  Abraham  Booth, — Prayer  by  the  Rev.  R. 
liurnham, -^Sermon  to  the  church  by  the  Rev.  T. 
Davis, — Hy m n, — Conclud i n^  prayer. 

"  After  the  public  reading  of,  the  call  to  the  pas- 
toral office  from  the  church  of  Christ  in  Hammer- 
smith to  t!ic  Rev.  Jolm  Stanford;  the  introductory 
address,  «&c.  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  William 
Clarke,  A.  M.  Vvho  then  requested  John  Stanford 
})ublickly  to  declare  his  acceptance  of  the  call  of  this 
church,  and  also  to  give  a  public  testimony  of  his 
views  of  the  doctrines  revealed  in  the  Bible ;  and  of 
the  order,  and  practices  of  the  primitive  churches." 

After  a  very  able  document  upon  this  subject,  but 
which  is  here  emitted  for  v/ant  of  room,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Clarke  rose  and  said — 

"  The  church  having  given  an  account  of  the  steps 
by  them  adopted  relative  to  the  call  of  our  brother  to 
the  pastoral  office;  and  whereas  he  has  signilied  his 
acceptance,  and  has  now  witnessed  a  good  confession 
of  his  faith  before  many  witnesses ;  we  do  therefore 
proceed,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  by  the  laying 
on  of  our  hands,  and  by  prayer ;  to  invest  him  with 
the  pastoral  office  over  you  as  a  church." 

The  Rev.  Abraham  Booth,  Rev.  John  Reynolds, 
Rev.  R.  Burnham,  and  Rev.  T.Davis,  then  proceeded 
to  lay  hands  upon  the  pastor  elect;  while  the  RcTc 
William  Clarke  offered  the  ordaining  2)r ay er. 


ADDRESS  OF  TIIi:  RFA'.  ABRAHAM  BOOTH.  33 

Aostract  of  the  address  delivered  to  the  pastor  by 
the  Rev.  Abraham  Booth,  A.  M. 

"  1  shall  commence  the  duty  assigned  to  me  on  this 
occasion,  by  reading  to  you,  my  brother,  the  second 
verse  of  the  fourth  chapter  of  the  second  Epistle  to 
the  Corinthians. — 

"  Bi/  manifestation  of  the  truth,  commending  ourselves 
to  even/  man^s  conscience  in  the  si<i;ht  of  God. 

"  \Vlien  I  contemplate  the  Apostle  Paid,  as  the 
most  honoured  and  useful  servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
in  spreading  tlic  glories  of  divine  grace,  I  can  hardiy 
forbear  wishing,  like  Austin,  to  have  beheld  him  in 
the  pulpit;  if,  thereby,  1  might  form  a  more  correct 
idea  of  his  doctrine  and  manner  of  preaching.  Yet 
such  a  wisli  is  quite  unavailing ;  and  indeed,  the 
gratification  of  it  quite  unnecessary.  For  that  in- 
comparable man,  in  his  several  epistles,  has  drawn 
his  own  character  both  as  a  Christian  and  as  a 
minister  of  Christ.  In  the  words  of  our  text,  we 
have  the  representation  of  Paul  in  tlje  pulpit.  His 
grand  business  is,  to  inanifest  the  truth.  What  is  his 
immediate  and  first  aim?  It  is  to  approve  himself 
to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God. 
Paul,  my  brother,  is  therefore  a  pattern  for  your 
imitation. 

"  Your  business  is  to  '  manifest  the  truth.'  Truth 
is  a  just  representation  of  facts,  whether  it  relates  to 
the  primary  ideas  of  our  own  minds,  or  to  objects  re- 
cited by  others.  All  falsehood  is,  denying  that  to  be 
fact  which  really  is  fact,  or  asserting  that  to  be  fact 
which  is  not  fact.  This  definition  of  truth,  concerns  not 
only  such  facts  as  are  discoverable  by  the  light  of  rea- 
son, but  such  as  are  peculiar  to  revelation.  There 
is,  however,  something  in  the  sacred  writings  which, 
by  way  of  eminence,  is  called  '  the  truth,'  and  which 
is  mentioned  in  our  text,  and  deserves  our  particular 
reirard. 


34         ADDREt<S  OF  Tfll::  REV.  ABRAHAM  BOOTH. 

"  Tliero  are  certain  doctrines  founded  on  tacts, 
which  are  of  an  immutable  nature,  and  these,  by  way 
of  eminence,  are  called  'the  tridh,''  and  comprise  the 
doctrine  of  salvation  by  Jesus  Christ.  Gospel  truths, 
and  the  reality  of  the  facts  on  which  they  are  founded, 
show  the  adorable  v/isdom,  power,  and  glory  of  God; 
and  you,  my  brother,  are  bound  to  search  the  scrip- 
tures, and  endeavour  to  understand  them  and  their 
immediate  connection.  Among  these  facts  are  the 
marvelloua  character  of  God,  and  that  ho  made  and 
governs  the  world.  Upon  these  truths  all  the  doc- 
trines of  divine  revelation  are  founded.  My  youn<; 
brother,  you  arc  to  .study  these  truths  as  a  man,  as  a 
Christian,  and  particularly  as  a  minister.  If  you  do 
Jiot  study  these  truths,  with  their  nature  and  tendency, 
it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  you  will  commend  them 
to  others  in  your  ministry.  For  you  arc  not  only  to 
study  the  truth,  but,  according  to  the  example  of 
Paul,  to  manifest  the  truth  to  others.  This  is  to  be 
the  great  business  of  your  ministry,  for  it  is  '  the 
iruiky^  which  is  appointed  of  God  to  enlighten  the 
understanding,  and  awaken  the  conscience,  under  the 
influence  of  the  divine  Spirit.  The  truth  of  which 
the  apostle  speaks,  and  which  will  comfort  the  hearts 
of  your  hearers,  stands  in  direct  opposition  to  error 
and  falsehood;  and  which,  in  the  preceding  part  of 
this  verse  he  calls  *  TIte  hidden  ihinp;s  of  dishonci;iy  ; 
walking  in  crcrftincss,  a7id  handling  the  word  of  God 
deceit  full}).''  No  man  ought  to  be  countenanced  as  a 
minister  of  Christ  that  is  found  guilty  of  this  fault ; 
or  v.ho  conceals  a  part  of  the  truth  of  God's  word,  or 
makes  a  false  repn-esentation  of  it.  You  are,  then,  to 
manifest  '  the  iriUh,'  the  ichole  truth,  escry  part  of 
which  is  precious. 

"  Labour  to  become  acquai sited  with  the  doctrines 
contained  in  the  scrij)tures,  that  you  may  be  able  to 
*  teach  others  also.'  But  remember  that  you  are  not 
always  to  dwell  on    some  particular  and  favourite 


ADDRESS  OF  THE  REV.  ABRAHAM  BOOTH.    35 

poiii'.s,  but  deliver  the  whole  truth  in  all  its  variety. 
You  are  not  to  give  a  hody  of  divinitij  \\\  a  sermon, 
nor  an  account  of  all  tlie  articles  in  your  creed  ;  for 
this  vrould  be  very  injiulicious.  Carefully  avoid  that 
ambiguity  in  language  which  would  leave  the  people 
at  a  loss  to  know  your  real  sentiments. 

"  In  the  whole  of  your  miiiistry,  resolve  to  be  free 
from  tiie  imputation  of  handling  tlie  vrord  of  God 
deceitfully. 

"  Here  let  me  lay  before  you  a  caution  or  two. 
Take  care,  that  under  pretence  of  being  open  and 
explicit,  you  do  not  degenerate  into  dogmatism,  or 
become  personal  in  your  addresses.  In  the  pulpit, 
you  have  to  do  rather  uith  characters  than  with 
persons.  You  are  bound,  in  faithfulness  and  in  duly, 
to  declare,  that  drunkards,  covetous,  self-righteous 
men,  shall  not  inherit  the  kin^-dom  of  God  :  but  vou 
must  not  single  out  any  particular  person  before  you  ; 
for  you  will  then  become  ungenerous,  and  the  conse- 
(picnces  will  be  injurious. 

*'  Carefully  avoid  all  language  which  is  lov/  and  in- 
elegant ;  but  study  '  to  find  out  accejjiahle  ivords,^  that 
your  ministry  may  not  become  contemptible.  Never 
think  of  doing  good,  but  as  you  preach  the  plain  truth 
of  God. 

"  The  lirst  end  the  apostle  had  in  view,  was,  to 
'  commend  himself  to  ei:ery  man^s  conscience.''  This 
shows  us  the  integrity  and  openness  of  his  heart 
towards  the  children  of  Gcd,  and  to  the  consciences 
of  all  men.  The  more  you  keep  God,  truth,  and  the 
consciences  of  men  in  view,  the  more  peace  will  you 
I-ave  in  your  own  mind  ;  the  fear  of  man  v^^ill  be  dis- 
carded, and  the  greater  probability  will  there  be  of 
your  success  in  the  work. 

"  The  first  thing  I  would  mention  as  an  advantage 
from  this  way  of  preaching  is,  you  will  be  careful 
what  kind  of  texts  you  choose  for  your  discourses.  I 
will  venture  to  say,  that  a  minister,  uhether  old  or 


S6         ADDRESS  OF  TIIi:  REV.  ABRAHAM  BOOTH. 

young,  who  takes  what  may  be  comparatively  calied 
mysterious  texts,  does  so,  more  to  show  his  own  sup- 
})0sed  abilities,  than  to  commend  the  truth  of  God  to 
the  consciences  of  men.  How  many  are  there,  who, 
to  show  their  dexterity,  take  historical  facts,  and  en- 
deavour to  make  them  speak  evangelical  truths, 
wliich  they  were  never  intended  to  utter.  I  recom- 
mend you,  therefore,  to  avoid  that  fanciful  and  vain 
disposition  to  which  young  men  are  more  inclined 
than  those  who  have  been  long  in  the  ministry.  In 
my  younger  days  I  myself  was  guilty  of  this  fault, 
wliich  now  I  very  much  deplore. 

"  Again,  the  more  you  keep  the  approbation  of 
conscience,  and  the  favour  of  God,  in  your  eye,  the 
more  careful  will  you  be  to  study  your  text  and 
to  manifest  the  truth  which  it  contains;  that  the 
understanding  and  the  conscience  of  your  hearers 
may  be  duly  enlightened,  feel  its  authority,  and  God 
himself  approve  your  labours.  My  brother,  you  have 
first  of  all  to  do  with  the  understanding  of  your  hearers, 
and  as  there  is  a  glorious  harmony  and  influence  in 
divine  truth,  it  must  certainly  operate  on  the  will. 
Therefore,  preach  in  simplicity,  the  unadulterated 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  leave  the  event  to  the 
pleasure  of  God. 

"  Again,  the  more  you  keep  the  approbation  of  God 
and  conscience  in  view,  the  more  earnest  and  engaged 
will  you  be  in  the  work  of  your  ministry.  I  do  not 
mean,  by  speaking  as  loud  as  you  can,  to  show  that 
YOU  are  in  earnest ;  for  a  person  may  have  a  very 
trifling  frame  of  mind,  and  utter  a  great  deal  of  non- 
sense while  speaking  very  loud.  I  wish  you  to  have 
such  a  sense  of  your  subject,  that  you  may  speak  in  a 
persuasive  manner,  and  convince  your  hearers  that 
vou  are  in  earnest.  If  you  believe  what  you  say, 
and  wish  the  conscience  of  the  people  to  be  properly 
affected,  this  will  surely  make  you  in  earnest;  for 
that  man  must  be  under  a  strange  influence  who  is 


ADDRESS  OF  THE  REV.  ABRAHAM  BOOTH.    37 

not  roused,  when  he  considers  that  he  has  to  do  with 
truths  with  conscience,  and  with  God. 

*'  Further,  the  more  you  keep  the  approbation  of 
conscience,  and  the  glory  of  God,  in  view,  the  more 
serious  and  devotional  will  you  be,  when  you  preach; 
consequently  you  will  be  preserved  from  levity.  When 
a  man  gives  loose  to  wit  and  low  comparisons,  so 
that  the  most  serious  of  his  hearers  are  tempted  to 
smile,  we  must  certainly  imagine,  that  God  and  con- 
science are  out  of  sight.  Remember  then,  that  in  the 
pulpit  you  do  not  forget  your  station  as  a  minister, 
and  become  a  mountebank.  I  have  no  jealousy  over 
you,  but  think  it  my  duty  to  exhort  you.  If  you  gain 
not  the  serious  attention  of  your  hearers,  you  have  no 
great  reason  to  expect  success. 

"  You  are  to  address  the  people  who  hear  you,  as 
though  there  were  no  other  people  in  the  world; 
preach  to  them,  as  well  as  before  them.  If  you  keep 
the  approbation  of  God  and  conscience  in  view,  you 
will  be  better  pleased  to  find  any  of  your  hearers  go 
away  with  the  language  of  the  publican,  '  God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner,'  than  admiring  your  compo- 
sition or  your  delivery.  If  a  sinner  goes  away  out  of 
conceit  of  himself,  abhorring  himself  as  a  wretch  that 
deserves  to  perish ;  or  if  others  depart,  in  love  with 
Christ,  and  a  disposition  to  pray  in  secret,  you  will 
undoubtedly  have  received  the  approbation  of  God. 

"  The  more  you  keep  the  approbation  of  God  and 
conscience  in  view,  the  more  you  will  pray  for  your 
people  in  secret.  He  who  neglects  this  duty,  is  an 
unfaithful  pastor,  and  must  prove  a  useless  labourer. 

"  If  you  preachthe  whole  counsel  of  God  faithfully, 
you  must  expect  to  be  treated  by  some  as  an  Arme- 
nian—-if  you  assert  the  unchangeableness  of  salvation 
for  tlwse  who,  though  undeserving,  yet  believe  in 
Christ,  you  must  expect  to  be  reproached  by  others 
as  an  Antinomian.  But,  be  not  discouraged:  the 
testimony  of  God  and  conscience  will  bear  you  through. 


38  COMMENCES  HIS  DiARY. 

"  In][the  government  of  the  church,  or  when  you 
visit  your  congregation,  especially  the  unfortunate  or 
the  sick,  still  remember  you  have  to  do  with  con- 
science and  with  God. 

*'  Now,  my  dear  brother,  though  I  might  have  en- 
larged upon  all  the  particulars  on  which  1  have  ad- 
dressed you,  I  must  conclude,  in  the  words  of  Paul  to 
Timothy: — 'I  charge  thee  before  God,  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead 
at  his  appearing  and  his  kingdom,  preach  the  word ; 
be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season  ;  reprove,  rebuke, 
exhort  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine.  Watch 
thou  in  all  things,  endure  afflictions,  do  the  work  of 
an  evangelist,  make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry,'  and 
the  God  of  grace  be  with  you.     Amen." 

This  was  followed  by  a  very  interesting  discourse, 
delivered  to  the  church,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Davis, 
A.  M.  from  Heb.  xiii.  8 — "  Pray  for  W5."  The  ser- 
vices were  then  closed  with  appropriate  sacred  music, 
and  with  prayer. 

With  the  termination  of  this  solemn  service,  it  may 
be  said,  that  the  public  labours  of  the  Rev.  Mr* 
Stanford  commenced. 

At  an  early  period,  he  appears  to  have  been  im- 
pressed with  the  importance,  especially  to  Ministers, 
of  keeping  a  diary,  or  journal  of  the  exercises  of  their 
ininds,  the  duties  they  have  performed,  and  the 
changes  through  which  they  have  passed ;  yet  he 
made  no  attempt  of  this  kind  until  the  year  1798. 

He  then,  owing  to  a  variety  of  circumstances,  re^ 
ceived  a  very  strong  conviction  of  its  utility,  as  a 
means  of  correcting  his  errors,  humbling  his  heart, 
and  promoting  a  spirit  of  vital  jficfy-  In  this  practice 
be  continued  without  interruption,  nearly  thirty-five 
^earsi 


CHAPTER  IIL 

MR.  STANFORD  REMOVES    TO  AMERICA INVITED   TO  BECOMR 

THE  PASTOR  OF  THE  FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH  IN  PROVIDENCE 
RETURNS  TO  NEW-YORK VARIOUS  TRIALS. 

Extracts  from  his  diary  will  be  introduced  into  the 
subsequent  pages  of  this  memoir ;  but  it  is  deemed 
proper,  first  to  present  a  brief  account  of  the  more 
prominent  events  of  his  life,  from  the  time  of  his  or- 
dination to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  in  the 
year  1781,  until  the  commencement  of  his  journal  in 
1798. 

A  few  years  subsequent  to  his  entering  upon  the 
duties  of  the  public  ministry,  the  mind  of  Mr.  Stanford 
became  much  dissatisfied  with  his  situation ;  and  after 
importunate  prayer  to  God,  and  with  the  advice  of 
several  ministers,  and  other  friends,  he  resolved  to 
visit  America.  He  accordingly  left  England,  January 
7th,  1786,  and  after  a  very  tempestuous  voyage,  in  a 
bad  ship,  and  repeated  escapes  from  the  most  immi- 
nent dangers,  he  arrived  in  Norfolk,  in  Virginia,  on 
the  16th  of  April;  where,  though  a  stranger,  he  was 
cordially  received,  and  experienced  numerous  expres- 
sions of  hospitality  and  kindness.  Having  the  most 
satisfactory  letters  of  introduction  to  several  persons 
of  respectability  in  the  city  of  New-York,  he  for- 
warded them  to  the  gentlemen  addressed ;  and  while 
waiting  for  their  answers,  employed  himself  in  the 
education  of  a  few  classes,  composed  of  the  children 
of  some  of  the  most  opulent  families  in  the  place.  In 
a  short  time,  he  received  an  invitation  to  visit  New- 
York  ;  and  on  the  4th  of  November,  1786,  he  sailed 
from  Norfolk,  and  in  the  course  of  the  following  month, 
lt»y  the  aid  of  his  friends,  he  opened  an  academy  m 


40       CALL  FROM  THE  CHURCH  IN  PROVIDENCE. 

this  city,  which,  by  the  smiles  of  Providence,  was  in 
a  few  months  raised  to  a  very  flourishing  condition. 
Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  Nevv^-York,  he  occasionally 
preached  for  the  venerable  John  Gano ;  pastor  of 
THE  FIRST  Baptist  church,  in  Cold-street;  who 
bestowed  upon  him  the  affection  and  attentions  of  a 
father. 

In  the  year  1787,  Dr.  James  Manning,  (the  first) 
president  of  Brown  University,  in  Providence,  Rhode- 
Island,  having  resigned  the  charge  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  that  place,  Mr.  Stanford  received  three 
successive  invitations  to  spend  a  year  with  them  ;  but 
as  to  the  propriety  of  the  step,  there  was  a  difference 
of  opinion  amongst  his  friends  in  New- York.  The 
annual  income  from  his  academy  was  one  hundred 
per  cent,  above  the  compensation  offered  by  the 
church;  his  academial  duties  were  less  arduous,  and 
gave  him  more  entirely  the  control  of  his  time ;  be- 
sides which,  he  would  not  be  burdened  with  those 
solicitudes  which  are  connected  with  the  increasing 
responsibilities  of  the  pastoral  ofiice.  Nevertheless, 
after  many  prayers,  and  great  mental  conflicts,  he 
concluded  to  remove  to  Providence,  for  the  time 
specified.  His  first  sermon  to  that  church  and  con- 
gregation, was  delivered  from  Psalm  cxxii.  9  ;  "  Be^ 
cause  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  our  God,  I  will  seek  thy 
good.^^  The  congregation  gradually  increased,  and 
many  were  converted  to  the  truth. 

This  being  the  oldest  church  in  the  state,  of  any 
religious  denomination,  and  the  first  Baptist 
CHURCH  constitu  rED  IN  AMERICA,  (founded  A.  D. 
3639,)  he  employed  part  of  the  first  nine  months,  in 
writing  her  history ;  which  was  afterwards  printed 
in  England. 

The  original  document  is  in  our  possession;  but  is 
here  omitted,  as  it  may  be  found  in  the  first  volume 
of  the  "  History  of  the  Baptists,"  published  by 
the  Rev.  David  Benedict,  A,  M.    See  pagc473~-48d. 


FAPTISTS,  THE  ADVOCATES  OF  LIBERTY.  41 

As  this  is  the  first  church  in  which  Mr.  Stanford 
was  engaged  as  a  stated  preacher  in  America,  the 
subjoined  view  of  their  beautiful  edifice  is  here  pre- 
sented, for  the  purpose  of  gratifying  those  who  have 
never  visited  the  spot,  where,  to  employ  the  lan- 
guage of  Governor  Hopkins ;  "Roger  Williams  justly 
claimed  the  honour  of  being  the  first  legislator  in 
the  world,  who  fully  and  effectually  provided  for, 
and  established  a  free,  full,  and  absolute  liberty  of 
conscience."* 

The  building  is  eighty  feet  square,  and  much  of 
the  beauty  of  correct  taste,  is  displayed  in  its  internal 
arrangements.  The  roof  and  galleries  are  supported 
by  twelve  fluted  pillars  of  the  Dorick  order.  The 
ceiling  is  a  continued  arch  ;  but  intersected  immedi- 
ately over  the  galleries.  The  steeple  is  one  hundred 
and  ninety-six  feet  in  height,  and  is  by  competent 
judges  regarded  as  among  the  most  beautiful  speci- 
mens of  architectural  symmetry  in  the  United  States. 

*  That  the  Baptists  were  the  first  who  practised  upon  the  principle  of 
unrestricted  religious  liberty,  and  that  they  have  never  denied  to  others 
the  freedom  which  they  claimed  for  themselves,  is  a  fact  which  ought  to 
be  universally  known.  Not  only  during  the  eventful  period,  when  Sten- 
nett  and  Piggot,  with  many  others,  appealed  to  the  throne  of  England, 
and  plead  for  ihe  continuance  of  those  glorious  principles  of  British  law, 
by  which  the  equal  civil  rights,  and  inalienable  privileges  of  religious 
liberty  were  guaranteed  to  the  nation;  but  also  throughout  the  English 
revolution  of  1688,  and  in  the  colonial,  and  revolutionary  history  of  our 
own  country,  the  Baptists  have,  as  a  denomination,  every  where  distin- 
guished themselves,^  by  zealously  contending  for  the  honour  of  God,  and 
the  rights  of  man.  This  eulogy  has  seldom  been  denied  to  the  Baptists, 
by  any  writer  of  great  research.  Catholics  and  Protestants  have  admitted 
the  fact,  aad  upon  the  pages  of  impartial  history,  it  will  indisputably 
perpetuate  that  praise,  to  which  they  are  so  justly  entitled. 

In  the  mind  of  Roger  Williams,  a  Baptist,  we  find  the  germ  of  these 
principles,  and  that  enlightened  zeal  which  procured  for  the  colony  of 
Rhode-Island  the  charter,  by  which,  for  the  first  time,  mankind  were 
practically  taught  the  salutary  lesson  of  universal  religious  liberty.  Mr. 
WiUiams  was  not  only  the  founder  of  the  state  of  Rhode-Island,  but  in 
consequence  of  his  friendly  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  he  became  the 
means  of  saving  all  the  American  colonies  from  the  desolating  storm 
which  was  gathering  around  the  council-fires  of  "  the  grand  confederacy,^* 
and  would,  in  all  probability,  but  for  the  providential  interference  of  Mr*. 
W.  have  swept  from  our  shores  the  last  traces  of  our  pilgrim  fathers,. 

4L* 


42         LETTER  FROM  REV.  JONATHAN  EDWARDS. 

The  clock  and  bell  were  both  manufactured  in  Lon- 
don ;  the  weight  of  the  latter  is  2387  pounds.  The 
following  original  inscription  on  the  bell,  is  a  charac- 
teristic relic  of  olden  times — 

"  For  freedom  of  conscience,  this  town  was  first  planted. 
Persuasion,  not  force,  was  us'd  by  the  people; 
This  church  is  the  oldest,  and  has  not  recanted, 
Enjoying  and  granting,  bell,  temple,  and  steeple." 

About  this  time  he  received  the  following  letter 
from  the  venerable  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards. 

''New-Haven^  May  5,  1738. 

•*  REV.  SIR, 

"  Your  obliging  favour  of  April  29,  was  duly  re- 
ceived, lam  happy  to  hear  of  your  prosperous  jour- 
ney and  agreeable  reception  at  Providence.  Please 
to  present  mine  and  Mrs.  Edwards'  compliments  to 
Nicholas  and  John  Brown,  Esqrs.  I  shall  be  ever 
proud  to  acknowledge  the  family  connection,  and 
intend  a  visit  at  Providence,  when  Mrs.  Edwards  can 
find  it  convenient  to  accompany  me. 

*'  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  the  intention  of  your  neigh- 
bouring ministers  to  form  a  ministerial  society.  You 
may  depend  upon  it,  that  properly  conducted,  it  will 
be  of  real  and  great  advantage.  This  I  say  from  my 
own  experience  in  the  society  of  which  I  am  a  mem- 
ber. We  meet  on  the  Tuesday  of  every  month, 
and  continue  together  till  after  dinner  on  the  next 
day.  We  choose  a  moderator  and  scribe,  and  our 
meetings  are  opened  and  closed  with  prayer  by  the 
moderator.  A  sermon  is  preached  pubiickly.  After 
senr.on,  critical  remarks  are  made  on  the  sentiments, 
the  style,  and  the  delivery  of  the  sermons  and  other 
public  exercises.  Next  are  considered  the  theological 
questions,  commonly  three,  proposed  at  the  preceding 
meeting.  In  the  consideration  of  them,  every  one 
offers  his  sentiments  in  his  turn,  by  the  direction  of 


A  5.  W.  View  of  xHe  BAPTIST   MEETIN^G  HOUSE  Provulettc  t  R.l. 


J.h'.Briff.oidJ.>tkN.Y. 


VISITATION  AMONGST  THE  POOR.  43 

the  moderator.  After  the  questions;  every  one  reads 
either  extracts  from  some  author,  or  a  sermon,  or 
some  other  composition  of  his  own.  On  the  extracts, 
sermons,  and  other  compositions,  critical  remarks 
are  made,  as  on  the  sermon  preached.  These  exer- 
cises commonly  fill  up  our  time  to  the  length  before 
mentioned,  h  is  a  fundamental  rule  of  the  meeting, 
to  attend  closely  to  business,  and  not  to  suffer  our- 
selves to  be  diverted  by  compliments  or  company,  or 
by  common,  vague  conversation.  No  man  is  allowed 
to  speak  in  the  meeting,  before  rising  and  obtaining 
leave  of  the  moderator.  Our  criticisms  on  the  ser- 
mons and  other  performances  of  the  members  of  the 
meeting,  in  which  great  brotherly  freedom  is  used, 
are  made  before  the  members  of  the  meeting  only. 
The  other  exercises  are  not  private. 

"  It  is  nine  years  since  our  meeting,  called,  a  meeting' 
for  mutual  improvevient,  was  established ;  and  I  see 
no  disposition  in  the  members  to  discontinue  it.  The 
questions  we  have  discussed,  are  some  of  the  most 
important  in  the  circle  of  theology.  I  most  sincerely 
wish  you  and  the  other  gentlemen  success  and  plea- 
sure in  your  proposed  meeting. 

"With  my  respectful  compliments  to  Dr.  Manning, 
and  wnth  most  ardent  wishes  for  your  success  in  the 
ministry,  1  am, 

"  Your  brother  in  the  Gospel, 

"  JONATHAN  EDWARDS/' 

During  his  residence  in  Providence,  Mr.  Stanford 
devoted  a  considerable  part  of  his  leisure,  to  promote 
the  comfort  and  moral  improvement  of  the  poor, 
without  regard  to  denominational  distinctions.  For 
the  better  discharge  of  this  duty,  he  divided  the  town 
into  three  parts,  which  enabled  him,  in  addition  to  his 
unavoidable  parochial  visitations,  to  see  and  converse 
with  nearly  all  the  poor  in  the  town  about  once  in 
each  month.     Such  fidelity,  and  zeal  in  pastoral  ser- 


44  THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS. 

vice,  did  not  long  escape  observation,  and  he  was  ac- 
cordingly elected  as  a  trustee  of  Brown  University, 
and  at  the  following  annual  commencement,  on  the 
3d  of  September,  1788,  he  was  honoured  with  the 
degree  of  Master  in  the  Arts.  The  following  is  an 
extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  corporation  of  the 
college. 

"  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  corporation  of  the 
college  in  Providence,  Sept.  3d,  1788. 

"  Voted  and  resolved.  That  the  Rev.  John  Stanford 
be  elected,  and  appointed  to  the  place  of  a  trustee  in 
this  college;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  accept  the 
same. 

"  Voted,  That  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  be 
conferred  on  the  Rev.  John  Stanford. 
"  Attest. 

"  SOLOMON  DROWN,  Dept.  Sec'ry:' 

As  this  institution  has  always  been  entirely  literary 
in  its  character,  and  there  being  no  theological  de- 
partment, Mr.  Stanford,  anxious  to  assist  the  rising 
ministry  of  his  denomination,  received  into  his  study 
a  small  class  of  students  in  divinity,  whom  he  gratuit- 
ously instructed.*  This  laid  the  foundation  of  a 
course  of  theological  lectures,  which  have  since  been 
enriched  with  the  fruits  of  nearly  thirty  years  expe- 
rience and  study,  and  have,  during  the  interval,  been 
frequently  read  to  divinity  classes,  many  of  whom 
survive  their  venerable  instructor,  and  nearly  all  of 
them  have  occupied  prominent  stations  in  the  Church, 

*  This  was  probably  among  the  earliest  systematic  efforts  for  the  ex- 
clusively theological  instruction  of  Baptist  students  in  America.  The 
first  academy  of  this  kind  was  that  of  Mr.  Eaton,  opened  in  1756,  and 
closed  in  1767,  and  at  which  were  educated,  President  Manning,  Dr. 
Samuel  Jones,  and  Dr.  Isaac  Skillman,  and  many  others,  whose  names 
are  now  passing  into  oblivion,  but  into  the  fruit  of  whose  labours  the 
Baptists  of  this  generation  have  entered,  and  whose  "record,"  lost  though: 
it  be  amongst  men,  •'  is  on  high." 


COMMENDATION.  45 

of  Christ,  and  are  known,  as  successful  labourers  in 
the  Lord's  vineyard. 

During'  his  residence  in  Providence,  the  glory  of 
God,  the  welfare  of  his  Church,  the  interest  of  the 
college,  and  the  good  of  the  community  generally, 
seem  to  have  been  objects  very  dear  to  his  heart ;  of 
which  the  following  document  is  ample  testimony. 

"  To  all,  whom  these  presents  may  concern.  The 
underwritten,  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Providence, 
in  the  state  of  Rhode-Island,  and  Providence  Plan- 
tations— who  are  members  of,  or  belonging  to,  the 
congregation  usually  worshipping  in  the  Baptist 
church ; 

"  This  certifies,  that  the  Rev.  John  Stanford,  a 
native  of  Great-Britain,  now  a  citizen  of  this  state,  in 
pursuance  of  a  unanimous  request  from  the  Baptist 
church  and  congregation  in  this  town,  came  e^nd 
began  to  preach  here,  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1788  ; 
and  before  he  had  resided  here  one  full  year,  received 
a  unanimous  call  from  the  said  church  and  society  to 
settle  with  them,  as  their  pastor.  That  from  his  first 
coming  among  us,  to  the  present  time,  his  preaching 
has  received  the  universal  approbation  of  the  said 
church  and  society,  and  manifestly  tended  to  their 
edification  and  increase.  His  private  character,  so 
far  as  we  have  been  witnesses,  has  well  comported 
with  the  evangelical  doctrines  of  his  public  ministry. 
Irreproachable  in  his  morals — of  polite  manners,  and 
easy  of  access — diligent  in  his  studies,  and  laborious 
in  his  visits  to  rich  and  poor,  without  distinction — ~ 
his  life,  while  with  us,  has  been  an  amiable  pattern 
of  the  Gospel  minister. 

"  Providence,  Nov.  15,  1789." 

This  document  is  signed  by  ninety-Jive  persons,  but 
it  is  not  thought  necessary  to  print  their  names  in 
this  place. 


46  ORPHANS  INSTRUCTED* 

His  residence  in  this  town,  owing  to  the  affectionate 
Bolicitf\tions  of  tlie  church,  and  a  numerous  circle  of 
friends,  was  protracted  three  months  beyond  the 
stipulated  period ;  after  which,  at  the  particular  invi- 
tation of  his  friends  in  New- York,  he  thought  it  his 
duty  to  return,  and  resume  his  former  employment  in 
the  education  of  youth  ;  and  in  preaching  the  Gospel 
of  Christ,  wherever  God  in  his  providence  should  ap- 
point. *'  Here,"  he  one  day  said  to  a  friend,  "  I  have 
lived  many  years,  passed  through  scenes  of  sorrow 
and  of  joy,  and  I  am  now  in  a  station  of  usefulness 
which  seldom  falls  to  the  lot  of  any  man  ;  and  here 
I  expect  and  hope  to  continue  to  live,  and  to  die  ia 
the  Lord." 

Among  other  evidences  of  his  Christian  philan- 
thropy, the  education  of  destitute  youth,  may  be  men- 
tioned as  a  prominent  trait.  During  the  last  twenty 
years  of  his  life  he  was  seldom  without  some  poor 
orphan  boy  as  an  inmate  of  his  family,  to  whose  moral 
and  reliofious  education  he  was  much  devoted.  Seve- 
ral  of  these  have  amply  rewarded  his  generosity  and 
toil,  by  exemplifying  the  spirit,  and  praiseworthy 
deportment  of  their  tutor.  Someof  ihem  have  risen 
to  great  respectability,  and  continue  to  fill  important 
stations  in  the  community. — In  his  anxiety  to  promote 
the  welfare  of  the  rising  generation,  Mr.  Stanford 
had  few  equals.  He  seems  to  have  adopted,  as  a 
favourite  maxim,  the  saying  of  a  Christian  of  the 
sixteenth  century:  "  Give  them  education,  that  their 
lives  may  be  useful ;  teach  them  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
that  their  death  may  be  happy!" 

What  is  called,  a  roving,  versatile  disposition,  a|>- 
pears  not  to  have  been  amongst  the  frailties  of  Mto. 
Stanford.  The  changes  of  his  life  seem,  in  a  remark- 
able manner,  always  to  have  been  appointed  and 
regulated  by  the  providence  of  God.  By  this  arrange- 
ment in  the  divine  economy,  he  was  experimentally 
taught,  that  Jehovah  "  hath  his  way  in  the  ichirlwind^ 


MR.  STANroPvD  RETURNS  TO  NEW-YORK.  47 

undin  the  storm,  and  that  the  clouds  are  the  dust  of  his 
feet:- 

His  afflictions,  though  often  severe  and  protracted^ 
were  not  only  necessary,  and  designed  for  his  personal 
benefit,  but  greatly  contributed  to  his  future  useful- 
ness in  administering  consolation  to  others. 

It  is  related  of  the  good  Mr.  Whiteheld,  that  during 
a  visit  in  the  north  of  England,  he  one  day  went  into 
a  glass-house,  where  he  saw  one  of  the  workmen  take 
a  piece  of  glass  and  put  it  into  one  burning  furnace^ 
then  he  put  it  into  a  second,  and  then  into  a  third* 
*'  Why,"  said  Mr.  Whitefield,  addressing  the  man, 
*'  why  do  you  put  it  into  so  many  fires?"  "  Because^ 
Sir,  the  first  and  second  fires  were  found  not  to  be 
sufficiently  hot  to  produce  the  degree  of  transparency 
which  I  wish,  and  therefore  I  put  it  into  a  third  fire.'* 
Strikingly  does  this  anecdote  illustrate  the  dealings  of 
the  Almighty  with  his  people,  they,  must  be  purified, 
if  necessary,  even  "  so  as  hy  fire;'"'  until  freed  from 
dross,  they  become  prepared  for  their  Master's  service* 

From  this,  let  young  Christians,  and  especially 
young  Ministers,  be  encouraged,  under  their  most 
distressing  calamities,  to  trust  in  the  Lord.  The  wis-* 
dom  and  the  goodness  of  God  may  be  discovered  as 
truly  amid,  scenes  of  darkness  and  tribulation,  as  in 
the  sunshine  of  prosperity.  Nevertheless,  if  at  the 
commencement  of  their  journey  the  Lord  were  to 
discover  to  them  the  thorny  path  they  have  to  tread, 
discouragement,  if  not  despair,  would  generally  be  the 
consequence.  But,  by  gradually  unfolding  his  will, 
day  by  day,  and  step  by  step  ;  he  girds  them  with 
strength,  keeps  them  dependent  on  his  arm,  and  in- 
spires them  with  a  disposition  to  give  him  the  honour 
due  to  his  name ;  as  their  Redeemer,  their  guide, 
and  never-failing  friend. 

Mr.  Stanford's  return  and  settlement  in  the  city  of 
New- York,  was  particularly  marked  by  the  smiles  of 
the  Almighty.     Every  desirable  encouragement  was 


48  DEPRESSED  IN  SPIRIT. 

afforded  him,  and  in  a  few  months  the  acadeniv 
under  his  charge,  attained  to  considerable  celebrity. 
The  year  following,  he  experienced  a  very  severe 
mental  affliction,  which  we  shall  here  briefly  describe, 
especially,  as  his  deliverance  from  it,  seems  to  have 
been  a  remarkable  token  of  the  Lord's  goodness;  and 
with  the  hope,  that  the  recital  may  be  made  useful  to 
others.  At  this  period  his  mind,  thoug-h  generally 
cheerful,  became  suddenly  dejected  and  gloomy. 

"  Alas ! 
How  oft  will  doubt  and  fear  arise 
E'en  in  the  soul  redeem'd  and  free : 
For  clouds  will  fly  o'er  brightest  skies, 
And  breezes  swell  the  calmest  sea." 

Very  seldom  could  he  be  prevailed  upon  to  preach ; 
the  reading  of  his  Bible  was  apparently  without 
cflect;  and  private  devotion  dwindled  into  formality. 
The  presence  of  his  friends  became  a  burden  ;  and  lie 
s^eems  particularly  to  have  coveted  solitude.  Public 
worship  afforded  him  no  satisfaction,  and  he  frequently 
immured  himself  in  his  chamber  during  the  whole 
day.  Repose  departed  from  his  pillow,  and  *'  ike 
pains  of  hell  gat  hold  upon  himy  In  this  deplorable 
state  of  mind,  he  not  only  doubted  the  sincerity  of  his 
character  as  a  minister  and  a  Christian,  but  such  vv^as 
the  depression  of  his  spirit,  that,  during  several  weeks, 
he  was  entirely  disqualified  for  the  duties  of  life.  IJe 
did  not  dare  to  deny  the  being  of  a  God ;  but  was  led 
so  far  as  to  question  the  divine  authenticity  of  the 
scriptures,  and  the  existence  of  grace  in  the  soul  of 
any  man.  But,  he  that  setteth  bounds  to  the  raging 
seas  interposed,  by  his  lioiy  Spirit,  to  arrest  the 
progress,  and  destroy  the  power,  of  the  tempter. 
One  morning,  after  examining  the  senior  class,  he 
returned  to  the  desk,  with  despair  brooding  over  his 
heart ;  when  the  following  inquiries  presented  them- 
selves to  his  mind  : — '*  Does   not  God  support   and 


THE  BROKEN  HEART  HEALED.         49 

iiounsh  your  body  by  natural  food  ?  and  is  it  not 
more  necessary  that  he  should  feed  and  nourish 
your  soul,  which  is  the  noblest  work  of  his  hand  ? 
And  has  not  the  Lord  said,  '  lam  the  bread  of  life :  he 
that  Cometh  to  me,  shall  never  hunger  T  and  has  not 
God  also  said,  *  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receiveT  "  While 
these  thoughts  were  revolving  in  his  mind,  the  hour 
to  dismiss  the  scholars  arrived,  and  he  went  into  his 
chamber  to  pray.  But  all  he  could  say,  was,  "  Think 
upon  me,  my  God,  for  good."  A  short  but  acceptable 
prayer  :— 

"  Oratio  breVis  perietrat  Ca^him." 

The  next  day,  being  the  Sabbath,  he  went  to  hear 
the  late  Rev.  Dr.  John  Mason,  concerning  which  he 
remarks:  "  I  had  no  spirit  to  follow  him  in  prayer. 
He  opened  his  Bible  and  read  his  text- — '  He  hath 
sent  me  to  hind  up  the  broken  in  heart.''  This  text,  to 
me  was  never  more  forcible ;  and  when  he  described 
the  broken  heart,  and  the  ability  of  Christ  to  bind 
up  its  wounds,  my  unbelieving  fears  took  wing;  my 
heart  leaped  for  joy  5  and  from  that  moment  1  have 
never  had  a  doubt  of  the  authenticity  of  the  scriptures, 
nor  of  the  ability  of  Christ  the  Lord,  to  save  to  the 
nttermost.^^  Thus  ended,  by  the  mercy  of  God,  an 
overwhelming  temptation,  that  had  lasted  through  five 
tedious  months;  and  he  has  often  said,  when  allud- 
ing to  this  subject :  "  I  firmly  believe  that  it  was  to 
me,  however  painful,  one  of  the  most  advantageous 
trials  I  ever  endured.  For  it  not  only  showed  me 
more  of  the  evils  of  my  own  heart,  and  the  ability  and 
the  glories  of  the  Saviour,  but  prompted  me,  with  the 
greater  care,  to  examine  the  evidences  on  which  the 
truths  of  revelation  are  founded,  as  well  as  to  explain 
them  for  the  benefit  of  others." 

It  is  the  opinion  of  all  experienced  Christians,  that 
sanctified  afflictions  are  special  mercies ;  because  they 
humble  the  pride  of  the  heart,  correct  extravagant 


50         SABDATH  EVENING  LECTURES. 

expectations,  restrain  the  indulgence  of  sensuality, 
and  lead  the  soul  to  God.  Hence  said  David,  "  It  h 
good  for  me  that  I  have  been  ajflkied;  that  I  might 
learn  thy  statutes.''^  (Psalm  cxix.  71.)  And  similar 
to  this,  have  been  the  acknowledgments  of  Manasseh, 
Hezekiah,  Job,  Paul,  and  millions  of  souls,  now  in 
glory. 

No  sooner  was  the  mind  of  Mr.  Stanford  relieved, 
than  the  tone  of  his  animal  spirits  and  general  health 
Were  gradually  restored,  and  he  again  resumed  the 
duties  of  his  station,  with  gratitude  and  pleasure.  On 
the  4th  of  August,  1791,  he  received  the  following 
letter,  signed  by  twenty-three  gentlemen,  of  different 
religious  denominations,  inviting  him  to  deliver  a 
course  of  Lord's  day  evening  lectures. 

"  To  the  Rev.  John  Stanford,  A.  M. 

"  DEAR  SIR, 

"  We,  the  subscriber-^,  from  a  confidence  in  your 
abilities,  as  well  as  disposition,  to  promote  the  spiritual 
and  temporal  interest  of  mankind  in  general,  and 
your  friends  in  particular  :  And  many  of  us  having 
lately  experienced  much  pleasure  and  satisfaction  in 
your  lectures;  do  therefore  request  the  favour  of  you 
to  officiate  for  us  in  your  ministerial  capacity,  on  the 
ensuing  Lord's  day  evening ;  and  as  often  after  that  as 
convenient,  in  a  place  provided  for  the  purpose  in  Fair- 
street,  known  by  the  name  of  Hopkins'  Long-Room. 
"  Neio-York,  August  Uhy  1791."  * 

With  this  request  he  very  cheerfully  complied. 
The  introductory  discourse  was,  "  Onthe  idility  of  the 
s^ospel  to  support  the  mind,  under  the  sufferings  of  hu- 
man life.^^  This  sermon  was  afterw-ards  published  at 
the  expense  of  those  who  heard  it,  but  is  now  out  of 
print. 

On  the  IGth  of  June,  1790,  Mr.  Stanford  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  Ten  Eyck,  the  daughter  of 


JEWISH  CUSTOM  AT  WEDDINGS.  51 

Abraham  Ten  Eyck,  Esq.  who  was  at  the  time  of  his 
death  an  officer  in  the  Custom-House,  and  a  vestry- 
man of  Trinity  Church.  By  this  pious  lady,  Mr. 
Stanford  had  four  children,  on4y  one  of  whom  sur- 
vives. In  less  than  eight  years,  this  union,  which  was 
cemented  by  the  strong  principle  of  Christian  affec- 
tion, and  stood  identified  with  the  fontl  recollection  of 
many  endearments,  was  sundered  by  the  touch  of 
death.  Mrs.  Stanford  died  in  New- York  during  the 
j)revalence  of  the  yellow  fever,  and  was  buried  in 
Trinity  Church  yard,  on  the  Oth  of  September,  1798. 
(To  this  subject,  reference  v/iil  again  be  made  in  the 
proper  place.)  How  solemn  the  thought,  that  all  the 
most  valued  and  interesting  connections  which  we 
form  on  earth  will  be  dissolved  by  time,  and  Jiow  soon, 
is  known  only  to  Him  who  is  the  sovereign  Disposer 
of  all  events.  Amongst  the  Jews,  it  is  in  some 
countries  the  custom  at  weddings,  after  the  Rabbi 
has  finished  the  ceremony,  to  bless  a  glass  of  wine,  of 
which  the  bride  and  bridegroom  drink,  and  then 
dash  the  glass  against  a  stone,  upon  which  a  double 
triangle,  and  the  letters  Mem  and  Teth  are  inscribed. 
This  is  an  abreviation  of  the  words  Mazel  Tov,  i.  e. 
good  fortune.  This  ceremony  is  intended  to  express 
their  desire,  that  as  the  fragments  of  the  broken  glass 
cannot  be  re-united,  so  their  union  may  continue  in- 
dissoluble until  death.  It  is  also  calculated  to  teach 
them,  that  their  mutual  ha|)piness  depends  upon  the 
continuance  of  life,  which  is  frail  and  brittle  as  glass. 
Such  was  the  painful  experience  of  Mr.  Stanford,  in 
the  sudden  loss  of  the  youthful  companion  of  his  life 
and  cares:  but  though  bereaved,  it  is  not  known  that 
he  murmured  against  the  righteous  dispensations  of 
heaven.  As  resis^nation  to  the  divine  will  was  his 
interest,  so  it  was  a  duty  which  he  appears  always  to 
have  performed  with  cheerfulness.  He  did  not  com- 
plain of  what  was,  for  faith,  taught  him  to  see  the 
hand  of  God  in  everv  event  of  Providence  ,*  and  he 


52  A  CHURCH  CONSTITUTED. 

seems  not  to  have  been  anxious  about  tliat  wliicli  was 
future,  because  he  saw  all  events  in  the  hand  of 
God. 

Having"  purchased  a  lot  of  i^round  in  Fair-street^ 
(now  Fulton-street,)  Mr.  Stanford  erected  upon  it  a 
building,  which  ho  occupied  as  an  academy  and  lec- 
ture room.  It  was  opened  on  the  27th  of  Fcl)ruary, 
1795,  with  a  discourse  on  2  Chronicles  vi.  18.  "  Will 
God  in  very  deed  dwell  ivith  men  on  the  earih  7  Be- 
holdy  heaven  and  the  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain 
thee;  how  much  less  this  house  which  I  have  built!''''  As 
most  of  his  hearers  Inid  no  stated  place  of  worship,  he 
consented,  at  their  request,  to  perform  service  three 
times  on  each  Lord's  day ;  nor  was  it  long  before  he 
had  the  happiness  of  believing,  that  the  Lord,  by  his 
spirit  and  word,  had  brought  many  sinners  to  drink  of 
the  cup  of  salvation.  In  the  latter  end  of  April,  a 
number  of  persons  Vi^ho  had  received  the  blessings  of 
the  gospel  under  his  ministry,  expressed  their  earnest 
desire  to  be  baptized,  and  to  enjoy  the  fellowship  of  a 
Christian  church.  This  appears  to  have  been  re- 
garded as  a  subject  of  peculiar  importance,  and  one 
intimately  connected  with  the  honour  of  God.  To 
the  throne  of  grace  therefore  did  he  repair,  with  fre- 
quent and  fervent  supplication,  for  "  that  icisdom 
which  is  profitable  to  direct^''''  and,  as  a  rational  means 
of  ascertaining  the  will  of  the  Lord,  he  consulted  seve- 
ral intelligent  ministers,  who  united  in  the  opinion, 
that  the  indications  of  Divine  Providence  made  it  suf- 
ficiently evident,  that  these  believers  in  Christ,  ought 
to  be  baptized,  and  publickly  constituted  as  a  church. 
In  consequence  of  this,  and  the  concurrence  of  other 
Christian  friends,  they  were  accordingly  formed  into 
a  gospel  church,  on  the  31st  of  May,  and  at  the  same 
time  Mr.  Stanford  was  installed  as  their  pastor. 
This  was  a  solemn  and  impressive  event,  and  all 
present,  but  especially  the  incumbent,  seemed  to 
realize  that: — 


LETTER  FROM  REV.  ROWLAND  HILL.  $3 

"  'Tis  not  a  cause  of  small  import, 
The  pastor's  care  demands; 
But  what  might  fill  an  angel's  heart, 
And  fill'd  a  Saviour's  hands." 

The  followino:  vear  Mr.  Stanford  visited  the  an- 
iiual  Association  of  ministers  and  representatives  of 
churches,  assembled  at  PJeasant-Valley,  about  eighty 
miles  from  New- York.  Into  the  fellowship  of  this 
body,  the  newly  constituted  church  and  her  pastor^ 
were  cordially  received.  During  the  session  of  the 
Association,  Mr.  Stanford  delivered  a  discourse,  found- 
ed upon  2  Corinthians  viii.  23.  "  Whether  our  brethren 
he  inquired  of^  they  are  the  inessengcrs  of  the  churches^ 
and  the  glory  of  Christ.^'' 

During  this  year,  Mr.  Stanford  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  "  Pennsylvania  Society  for  Promoting 
the  Abolition  of  Slavery,  the  Relief  of  free 
Negroes  unlawfully  held  in  Bondage,  and  for  im- 
proving THK  CONDITION  OF  THE  AFRICAN  RaCE." 

Among  Mr.  Stanford's  numerous  correspondents, 
it  is  gratifying  to  find  the  name  of  the  venerable  and 
Rev.  Rowland  Hill.  The  foIlowin»^  letter  from  his 
pen,  will  no  doubt  be  read  with  pleasure. 

*'  rev.  and  dear  SIR, 

*'  Your  packet  from  Mr.  Naylor  was  not  received 
till  yesterday  evening,  with  information  that  if  an 
answer  was  returned,  it  must  be  by  this  evening.  I 
have  time,  therefore,  but  for  a  few  lines. — The  plan 
of  our  Missionary  society  is  upon  the  most  enlarged 
principles.  Among  Christians  of  all  denominations, 
who  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus,  worship  God  in  the  spirit, 
and  have  no  confidence  in  the  flesh  ;  and  should  it 
please  God  to  plant  any  Christian  churches  by  their 
instrumentality,  it  is  our  solemn  determination  to 
leave  the  settlement  of  such  churches  in  regard  to 
their  outward  government,  among  themselves,  as  they 
shall  judge  most  consistent  with  the  word  of  God.    lis 

5* 


54  LETTER  FROM  REV.  ROWLAND  HILL. 

this  corrupted  state  of  things,  for  want  of  more  of  the 
mind  of  Christ,  little  matters  sometimes  create  great 
differences ;  hut,  blessed  be  God,  when  the  work  of 
regeneration  is  perfected  in  glorification,  all  will  be 
eternal  unity  and  love. 

"  The  Church  of  Christ  is  but  one  in  the  esteem  of 
him  who  is  the  living  Head  of  influence  among  all 
those  who  believe  on  his  name.  We  being  many,  are 
one  body  in  Christ,  and  every  one,  members  one  of 
another ; — as  all  the  elect  of  God  are  converted  and 
saved  by  the  gratuitous  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus;  so  surely  they  will  prove  that  they  are  his 
disciples  by  loving  one  another. 

"  We  are  not  without  the  same  awful  attacks  with 
us,  as  with  you,  from  infidels  of  every  description, 
ao-ainst  the  glorious  truths  of  the  Vvord  of  God.  Stiil, 
however,  we  have  reason  to  be  thankful,  that  the 
word  of  God  runs,  and  is  glorified  ;  and  not  a  few  are 
the  instances  of  an  influence  going  w'ith  the  word  of 
life,  so  that  infidelity  itself  can  never  deny,  that  it 
must  be  of  God.  The  Lord  is  giving  us  to  see  that 
he  needs  no  human  powers  for  the  promotion  and 
protection  of  his  eternal  truths  ;  when  he  works, 
none  can  let. 

"  Much  of  the  mischief  done  to  the  cause  of  Chris- 
tianitv,  has  been  from  j)retcndcd  Christians  them- 
selves. If  human  reason,  in  its  corrupted  state,  is  to  be 
the  judge  of  divine  revelation,  if  man's  righteousness 
is  to  be  preferred  to  Christ's  righteousness,  and  hea- 
then morality  is  to  be  substituted  for  the  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  on  the  souls  of  the  elect,  then  tlie  truths  of 
the  Bible  are  only  calculated  to  puzzle  and  distract. 

"America  has  been  famous  for  the  pov.er  of  religion. 
O  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  may  again  descend  on 
her  ministers,  and  send  them  forth  with  that  flaming 
zeal  for  the  glory  of  God,  as  that  thousands  under  the 
influence  of  a  divine  pouer,  may  fall  down  and 
acknowledge  God  is  in  them  of  a  truth. 


CONFLAGRATION..  UO 

*'  God  is  humbling  the  pride- of  our  nation,  daily  ; 
all  our  judgments  we  well  deserve;  the  curse  of  a 
continued  war  is  most  righteous  in  his  hands,  who  Ls 
ever  just. 

"  [  have  sent  you  some  account  of  our  present 
proceedings  in  the  enclosed  printed  addresses.  May 
the  Lord  stir  you  all  up  to  be  very  zealous  for  the 
Lord  of  hosts.  Our  time  is  short,  and  we  have  much 
to  do.  When  saved  ourseh-es,  should  we  not  agonize 
for  the  salvation  of  others  ?  Had  not  many  thiuiis 
called  this  day  for  my  attention,  J  shonld  have  been 
glad  to  have  been  more  particular. 

"  Some  attempts  have  been  making  by  the  Mis- 
sionary society  to  call  up  the  attention  of  tjje  Jew&. 
I  send  you  some  of  our  papers. 
*'  1  am.  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Youjs  sincerely  in  our  common  Lord, 

*'  ROWLA.\D  HILL.. 

*'  London,  Feb.  25,  179G." 

On  the  mornins^  of  the  8th  of  Ausfust,  an  alarminof 
circumstance  occurred,  l)y  which,  but  for  a  merciful 
Providence,  Mr.  Stanford  must  in  a  few  minutes  liave 
been  bereft  of  his  earthly  all.  Shortly  after  he  arose, 
an  unusual  smoke  was  seen  issuing  from  the  eaves 
of  an  adjoining  bake-house,  which  in  a  t^ew  minutes 
was  enveloped  in  flames,  and  with  several  of  the  sur- 
rounding buildings,  entirely  consumed.  His  dwelling- 
house,  though  within  a  few  feet  of  the  conflagration, 
was  mercifully  preserved;  but  the  adjoining  part  of 
tlie  building,  occupied  as  a  place  of  worship,  was 
considerably  injured. 

"  Behold r  saith  the  prophet  Amos,  (vii.  4,)  "  the 
Lord  called  to  contend  hij  y?rt."  This  is  certainly  one 
among  the  greatest  earthly  calamities.  The  burning 
of  a  city,  or  even  a  single  dwelling,  with  all  its  tumult 
of  concomitant  distress,  is  one  of  the  most  dreadful 
spectacles  which  this  world  can  offer  to  human  eyes. 


56  THE  CHRfSTIA^^'S  TOCKET  LIBRARY. 

This  is  particularly  true,  when  contemplated  as  the 
act  of  a  sin  avenging  Providence.  We  have  an  in- 
stance of  this  in  the  destruction  of  London,  on  the 
11th  of  September,  1666,  where,  in  a  few  hours,  de 
solation  rolled  her  burning  waves,  over  scenes  ot 
prosperity  and  pleasure  ;  and  mirth  and  frivolity 
were  exchanged  for  lamentation  and  woe. 

The  year  1796  appears  to  have  been  noted,  for  many 
of  those  alllictive  incidents,  by  which  the  previous  and 
subsequent  parts  of  Mr.  Stanford's  life  were  distin- 
£:uished.  Nevertheless,  he  received  the  most  srracious 
and  repeated  assurances  of  the  divine  favour,  in  the 
increase  of  his  church  and  congregation.  During  this 
year,  a  part  of  his  time  was  occupied  in  preparing, 
and  printing  two  volumes,  entitled,  "  The  Chrlsliaii's 
Pocket  Library. ''''  The  principal  design  of  which 
was,  to  afford  to  the  youthful  readers  of  that  day,  a 
work,  at  once  entertaining  and  evangelical.  In  this, 
Mr.  Stanford  was  in  no  ordinary  degree  successful. 
As  an  instance  of  the  peculiar  ingenuity  with  which 
he  exemplilied  the  adage:  ^^  Onme  tiilit punctum,  qui 
miscuit  utile  dulci  f^  the  vignette  upon  the  title  page, 
(thouo^h  not  original)  is  both  beautiful  and  instructive. 
The  centre  exhibits  the  figure  of  the  adorable  Saviour, 
accompanied  by  Mercy  and  Justice,  the  latter  of 
whom  poises  a  pair  of  scales,  one  of  which  contains 
the  two  tables  of  the  moral  law  ;  the  other,  a  bubble, 
as  the  appropriate  emblem  of  man  in  his  unrenewed 
state,  and  who,  when  weighed  in  opposition  to  the 
law  of  God,  is  '•''found  icanUng.^^  Justice  is  then 
represented  as  receiving  the  cross,  from  Christ,  as 
the  allusive  figure  of  his  vicarious  sacrifice,  and 
dropping  the  point  of  her  sword,  she  acknowledges 
her  claims  to  be  cancelled.  On  the  right  of  the 
Saviour,  Mercy  is  seen,  receiving  the  ohve-branch, 
as  the  emblem  of  ^^  peace  on  earth,  and  good  will  to 
menf''  and  upon  the  cloud,  immediately  beneath  the 
feet  of  Christ,  is  inscribed  that  most  consoling  decla- 


INDWELLING  SIN  LAMENTED.  57 

ration,  "  I  will  haa^e  mercy."  The  poetic  descrip- 
tion of  this  frontispiece,  by  "  Euxene,"  may  serve 
further  to  illustrate  its  beauties. 

"  Said  Justice,  '  Man,  I'd  fain  know  what  you  weigh, 
If  weight,  I  spare  you  ;  if  too  light,  I  slay.' 
Man  leap'd  the  scale.     It  mounted.     '  On  my  word/ 
(Said  Justice)  '  less  than  nothing  !  where *s  my  sword  V 
ViRTUK  was  there,  and  her  small  weight  would  try. 
The  scale,  unsunk,  still  kick'd  the  beam  on  high. 
Mercy,  the  fairest  dove  that  ever  flew. 
From  Calv'ry  brought  a  branch  of  crimson  hue  : 
Aloft  it  sent  the  scale  on  t'other  side, 
Man  smil'd,  and  Justice  own"d — •  I'm  satisfied.'  " 

Although  it  is  believed,,  that  Mr.  Stanford  never 
realized  any  adequate  pecuniary  emolument  from  the 
publication  of  this  work,  yet  he  had  the  paramount 
satisfaction  of  knowing,  that  it  was  highly  acceptable 
to  the  Christian  community,  and  that  in  many  in- 
stances it  contributed  to  the  spiritual  improvement 
and  comfort  of  immortal  souls. 

On  the  first  page  of  his  diary  for  the  year,  we  find  the 
following  truly  pious  remarks  : — "  Of  all  the  human 
creatures  of  the  Lord,  I  see  and  feel  myself  the  most 
unworthy,  depraved,  guilty,  and  lost  in  myself.  The 
evils  of  my  heart,  like  a  corrupt  fountain,  every  mo- 
ment send  forth  bitter  and  black  waters,  the  streams 
of  which  must  be  offensive  to  my  God,  and  are  de- 
structive to  my  own  peace  and  comfort.  For  this  I 
mourn  day  by  day;  and,  as  my  years  advance,  1  find 
it  a  cause  of  increasing  lamentation.  I  thank  my 
God  that  1  have  no  rest  in  it ;  but  that  I  am  enabled 
fervently  to  pray  that  his  grace  may  in  me  be  suffi- 
cient and  triumphant.  From  Christ  my  Redeemer 
1  look  for  pardon,  peace,  strength,  and  all  I  need. 
This  day  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  is,  '  that  I 
may  know  him  and  the  power  of  his  resurrection :  the 
fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  and  be  made  conformable 
to  his  death.'     When  I  review  my  past  life,  my  youthj 


58  SELF-DEDICATION. 

my  sorrows,  my  deliverances,  and  the  greatness  of 
my  mercies  unto  this  day,  with  thousands  of  favours 
received  from  his  hand,  1  hope  that  I  may  be  per- 
mitted to  say  that  1  am  the  Lord's,  Else,  why  should 
I  thus  feelf  Why  choose  the  Lord,  his  truth  and 
ways,  if  he  had  not  chosen  me?  O  1  would  tear  out 
my  heart  and  trample  upon  every  noxious  weed  of 
iniquity,  and  endeavour  to  perfect  holiness  in  the  fear 
of  God.  Time  was,  when  1  could  cultivate  these  with 
both  hands,  and  take  pleasure  in  the  fruits  of  sin. 
The  case,  by  the  favour  of  God,  is  altered !  In  this 
I  rest,  as  the  fruit  of  my  Lord's  death  and  interces- 
sion for  me.  1  look  to  Him,  that  by  his  Spirit  and 
grace,  he  may  perfect  that  wdiich  concerns  me, 
whether  for  the  body  or  for  the  soul.  Blessed  Father, 
Son,  and  Spirit,  this  day,  I  again,  though  most  un- 
worthy, give  myself  to  thee.  Let  my  person,  time, 
ministry,  and  all  I  have,  be  sanctified  to  thy  glory, 
the  increase  of  thy  visible  Church,  the  comfort  of  my 
family,  and  tlie  benefit  of  my  fellow  creatures.  Amen." 
Commencing  the  year  with  God,  and  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplication,  it  is 
natural  to  expect,  that  the  favour  of  heaven  would 
attend  him. 

"  A  good  man's  prayers 
Will  from  the  deepest  dungeon,  climb  heaven's  height, 
And  bring  a  blessing  down." 

Of  the  truth  of  this  sentiment,  we  have  a  beautiful 
illustration  iu  the  foilowins;  extract  from  his  diarv. 

"  Feb.  14.  Id  morning  prayer,  God's  promise  by 
Isaiah  was  strongly  impressed  upon  my  mind.  *  / 
IV ill  water  it  every  moment:  I  irill  keep  it  night  and 
daijJ'  Of  the  certain  fulfilment  of  this  promise  to  me, 
both  as  a  source  of  comfort,  and  to  promote  my  use- 
fulness, and  preservation  from  sin  ;  1  was  deeply  con- 
vinced. O  that  I  may  enjoy  it  by  night  and  by  day, 
to  the  praise  of  my  God  and  Saviour  I     It  is  good  to 


VISIT  TO  A  BACKSLIDER.  59 

have  such  longin<^  desires,  though  the  blessing  be  not 
immediately  granted." 

The  vear  1798  was  the  first,  durinii:  which  Mr, 
Stanford  attempted  to  keep  a  systematic  journal  of 
passing  events,  and  from  the  notes  of  that  journal,  it 
appears  indeed  to  have  been  a  year,  replete  with 
incident.  Much  of  the  exercises  of  his  mind,  in  duties 
and  nnder  trials,  is  here  recorded  with  a  faithful  pen, 
and  furnish  ample  evidence  of  the  sincerity,  and  un- 
affected fervour  of  his  piety. 

As  the  trials  of  life,  and  the  temptations  peculiar  to 
Christians,  had  in  no  ordinary  degree  prepared  the 
heart  of  Mr.  Stanford,  to  sympathize  with  his  afflicted 
brethren:  so  too,  his  suavity,  united  as  it  was  with  a 
profound  and  discriminating  mind,  constituted  him  a 
most  desirable  counsellor  to  those  who  were  labouring 
under  mental  embarrassments  in  regard  to  their 
spiritual  state.  It  is  known  to  have  been  no  uncom- 
mon circumstance,  for  ministers  as  well  as  private 
members,  of  different  religious  denominations,  to  re- 
sort to  the  study  of  this  venerable  man  of  God,  to  re- 
ceive the  benefit  of  his  opinion  and  advice.  This  very 
desirable  qualification  for  the  proper  discharge  of  tlie 
ministerial  functions,  brought  him  into  frequent  con- 
tact with  the  penitent  and  mourning  of  every  class- 

"  On  the  Lord's  day,"  he  says  :  "  I  visited  a  person 
who  had  been  caught  in  the  foul  snare  of  the  devil; 
his  conversation,  and  his  gratitude  for  subsequent 
deliverance,  were  expressed  with  great  sensibility, 
and  accompanied  with  many  tears.  May  I  always 
remember  that  necessary  admonition — '  I^et  him  that 
Ihinketh  lie  standelh,  take  heed  lest  he/all.^ " 

The  social  disposition  of  Mr.  Stanford  rendered 
liim  a  very  agreeable  companion;  particularly  in  the 
earlier  years  of  his  life.  The  society  of  his  Christian 
friends  afforded  him  great  delight.  On  one  occasion 
the  conversation  turned  upon  "  the  origin  of  sin,  and 
tiie  fate  of  infants."     And  when  the  question  was 


60  FINAL  STATE  OF  INFANTS. 

propounded  to  liim,  he  judiciously  replied :  *'  I  alvvav!? 
feel  best  satisfied  with  plain,  and  revealed  truth;  J 
wish  constantly  to  possess  the  humble  spirit  of  David, 
when  he  thus  appealed  to  his  God  :  '  Lord,  my  heart 
is  nul  haKghff/,  neither  do  I  exercise  wy self  in  things  too 
high  for  me.''  Is  it  not  enough  for  nie  to  know,  and 
feel  that  I  have  sinned,  and  to  look  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
to  pardon  and  cleanse  nic?  As  to  the  final  state  of 
infants,  the  blessed  Jesus  has  said,  '•Of  such  is  the 
hin2:dom  of  heaxen,''  and  1  can  safely  leave  them  with 
God,  the  Judge  of  all,  who  will  do  right."  This  reply 
did  honour  both  to  his  head  and  his  heart;  and  it 
were  devoutly  to  be  wished  that  all,  and  particularly 
Christians,  would  remember  the  language  of  Moses  : 
"  Secret  thinQ-s  hehnm  unto  the  Lord  our  God:  hut  those 
things  which  are  revealed,  belong  unto  us,  and  to  our 
children  for  ever,  that  ice  may  do  all  the  words  of  this 
law:' 

When  his  opinion  upon  any  point  in  theology  was 
required,  it  seemed  always  to  afford  him  peculiar 
pleasure,  to  be  able,  by  an  appeal  to  the  sacred 
volume,  to  say  ;  "  Thus  it  is  icritien:^ — He  felt  in  all 
their  force,  the  more  than  poetic  lines  : — 

"  Oh  thou  vast,  uwful,  and  mysterious  power ! 
Whom  Christians  worship,  yet  not  comprehend  ! 

vShed  from  thy  distant  heav'n  where'er  it  shines. 
One  ray  of  guardian  light,  to  clear  my  way : 
And  teach  me  first  to  find,  iheu  aet  thy  will !"' 


CHAPTER  iV. 

ilEbtAnKABLE  PROVIDENCES SUFFERINGS    DURING  THE  J»RE*« 

VALENCE  OF  YELLOW  FEVER DEATH  OF  MRS.  STANFORD-— 

MU.  STANFORD    RESUMES    HIS    PUBLIC    DUTIES DECLINES 

SEVERAL  INVITATIONS  TO  REMOVE  FROM  NEW-YORK. 

The  death  of  his  vahiable  friend,  Samuel  Naylor, 
Esq.  was  announced  about  the  9th  of  March,  1798. 
To  commemorate  this  event,  Mr.  Stanford  comjDOsed 
a  sermon,  whicii  was  subsequently  printed  and  trans- 
mitted to  the  surviving  family,  as  a  memorial  of  his 
gratitude  for  the  numerous  evidences  of  friendship, 
which  in  early  life  he  had  received  from  the  deceased* 
If— 

"  To  the  generous  mind, 
The  heaviest  debt,  is  that  of  gratitude, 
When  'tis  not  in  our  power  to  repay  it:"'— 

Ah  I  what  then  must  be  the  anxiety  of  the  humble 
(christian,  suitably  to  express  his  obligations  to  the 
divine  Author  of  every  mercy  !  And  although  the  soul 
ran  here  render  no  adequate  tribute,  yet  the  pious 
man  will  delight  to  record  the  goodness  of  the  Lord, 
it  was  a  favourite  saying  of  the  puritan  fathers  :  "  He 
that  will  observe  divine  providences,  shall  never  want 
^♦rovidences  to  observe;"  and  it  may  with  much  truth 
he  said,  that  as  few  men  have  been  more  accustomed 
to  speak  of  the  dealings  of  the  Lord  with  their  souls, 
so  few  have  been  more  remarkably  the  objects  of 
heavens  special  care,  than  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 
Like  the  eminently  pious  Mr.  Brown,  of  Haddington, 
he  might  say  : — "  I  have  met  with  many  trials,  yet  so 
fuerciful  hath  the  Lord  been  to  his  servant,  that  if! 

6 


(>2  UNEXPECTED  RELIEF. 

were  to  live  my  days  over  again,  1  would  not  desire 
one  circumstance  in  my  lot  changed,  except,  that  I 
wish  I  had  less  sin."  Upon  Mr.  Stanford's  coffin  il; 
miffht  with  truth  have  been  inscribed:— 

"  Here  lies  one  of  the  cares  of  Providence, 
Who  early  wanted  botli  father  and  mother, 
And  yet  never  missed  them." 

On  the  I3th  of  March  he  thus  writes:—"  I  have 
sometimes  been  disposed  to  call  in  question  the  verity 
of  narratives,  in  which  Providence  has  been  described 
as  affording  relief,  by  special  and  supernatural  means. 
This  arose,  in  part,  from  a  disposition  not  to  receive 
matters  of  fancy  for  matters  of  fact ;  but  circum- 
stances have  recently  occurred,  calculated  at  leasfc 
to  modify  my  former  opinions  upon  this  point.  ThisI 
day,  being  under  obligations  to  answer  a  pecuniary 
demand,  but  entirely  destitute  of  the  means,  1  learned 
a  practical  lesson,  wliich  changed  my  sentiments  on 
the  subject.  The  clain:^  was  correct  in  point  of  justice 
and  honour;  but  unable  to  meet  it,  I  resorted  to  my 
God  in  prayer.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  adequate 
money  was  brought  from  an  unexpected  quarter, 
which  more  than  enabled  me  to  pay  the  debt,  and 
produced  in  my  mind  not  merely  a  conviction,  that 
all  the  steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  hy  the  Lordj 
but  also  a  determination,  for  the  future,  always  to 
implore  the  aid  of  heaven,  even  in  the  most  minute 
concerns  of  life." 

On  another  occasion,  a  similar  circumstance  oc-" 
curred  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Stanford,  which  afford^ 
satisfactory  evidence  of  the  providential  care  of  Goc^ 
towards  his  people.  When  he  had  scarcely  recoverec^ 
from  the  withering  influence  of  a  malignant  diseasel 
that  prevailed  through  the  city,  and  which  brought 
him  to  the  borders  of  the  grave — an  event  of  which 
he  speaks  in  the  language  of  the  Christian — "I 
4\d  not   murmur — I  felt  submissive — but  I  was  all 


CAST  DOWN,  BUT  NOT  DESTROYED.  C3 

astonishment  at  the  hand  of  God  upon  me!"  Then, 
like  Job,  he  sat  amid  the  ruins  of  his  former  pros- 
perity, to  mourn  over  his  afflictions,  and  to  ponder 
the  ways  of  God.  Turning  his  eyes  toward  the 
door  of  his  deserted  school-room,  there  all  was  silent 
as  the  grave. — He  looked  around  upon  his  destitute 
little  children,  the  youngest  of  whom,  to  human 
appearance,  was  then  agonizing  in  the  grasp  of 
death.  The  neighbourhood  as  yet  continued  in  a 
state  of  mournful  abandonment,  and  he  was  left  nearly 
alone,  to  watch  with  the  sick,  and  to  perform  every 
necessary  duty  towards  the  afflicted  members  of  his 
domestic  circle.  Almost  entirely  deprived  of  those 
kindly  sympathies  which  usually  assuage  the  sorrows 
of  the  distressed  in  this  enlightened  country,  he  felt 
the  necessity  of  exerting  every  remaining  energy,  to 
provide  for  the  present  wants  of  his  helpless  babes. 
But  what  was  his  dismay,  when,  on  examination,  he 
found  that  his  family  stores  were  consumed,  and  to  use 
his  own  words,  his  "  money  totally  exhausted.'"  Never- 
theless, Mr.  Stanford  did  not  despair;  his  soul  rested 
upon  the  promise  of  that  God  who  has  said — "  The 
young  lions  do  lack  and  suffer  hunger,  hut  they  that  seek 
the  Lord  shall  not  want  any  good  thing.''^  But  what  was 
to  be  done  in  so  painful  an  emergency  ?  Should  he 
seek,  and  apply  to  some  member  of  his  congregation, 
who  might  have  ventured  to  return  to  the  city  ? 
Should  he  call  upon  some  respectable  citizen  and  so- 
licit the  loan  of  a  small  sum  ?  His  maxim  had  always 
been,  '•^Owe  no  7nan  anything,''''  and  though  at  this 
time  reduced  to  extremity,  he  appears  to  have  main-^ 
tained  the  principle  inviolate.  Thus  circumstanced, 
he  had  only  one  resource,  and  that  was  in  the  mercy 
and  faithfulness  of  God ;  to  God  therefore  did  he  re- 
pair for  direction  and  support,  nor  did  he  ask  in  vain. 
"  In  the  afternoon,"  he  remarks,  "  I  took  a  walk  as 
far  as  Wal|.-s|;reet,  and  called  to  see  my  friend  Mrs. 
j**#*      gj^g  inquired,  with  much  affectionate  solici- 


04  VISIT  TO  STAMFORD. 

tilde,  about  my  state,  and  respecting  the  wants  of  the 
children,  &:c. ;  and  on  my  going  out  she  put  seven 
dollars  into  my  hand,  as  for  my  children.  This  i 
considered  as  from  the  Lord,  and  demands  my  humble 
gratitude  and  praise."  Shortly  afterwards  he  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  Mr.  H***,  containing  another 
supply,  and  expressing  much  Christian  sympathy  ; 
upon  which  he  says — "  May  every  instance  of  luimaa 
friendship  lead  me  to  the  Lord  in  grateful  adora- 
tion." 

In  the  month  of  March  his  health  appeared  to  be 
fast  declining.  His  animal  spirits,  though  naturally 
lively,  began  to  fail ;  and  after  Dr.  C*******  had  pre- 
scribed a  change  of  air,  or  a  permanent  residence  in 
tlie  country  as  indispensable  to  his  recovery,  he  for  a 
moment  evinced  dejection  of  mind,  at  the  thought  of 
being  compelled  to  abandon  his  home  ;  but  from  this 
state  of  feeling  he  was  soon  relieved  by  the  reflection, 
that  the  Israelites  did  not  move,  or  halt,  but  by  the 
direction  of  the  cloud.  This  so  entirely  reconciled 
his  mind,  that  he  could  say  with  pleasure,  "  It  in  the 
Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeih  him  good.'''' 

"  He's  good  when  he  gives,  supremely  good, 
Nor  less  when  he  denies ; 
E'en  crosses  from  his  sovereign  hand, 
Are  mercies  in  disguise." 

In  the  early  part  of  April,  Mr.  Stanford  was  en- 
abled, pursuant  to  the  advice  of  his  physician,  to  visit 
Stamford,  in  Connecticut,  where  he  was  most  atiec- 
lionately  received  by  his  Christian  friends.  \n  the 
Baptist  church  in  that  place,  he  preached  two  ser- 
mons, without  experiencing  any  particular  incon- 
venience ;  but  owing  to  great  weakness,  which  pro- 
duced a  depression  of  his  naturally  buoyant  mind,  ho 
was  unable  either  to  impart,  or  to  derive  satisfaction 
from  conversation.  In  returning  to  New- York  the 
stage  broke  down,  and  compelled  him,  notwithstand- 


DESPAIR,  THE  FRUIT  OF  SIN.  65 

ing  his  great  debility,  to  walk  several  miles ;  yet,  a 
kind  Providence  enabled  him  to  reach  his  habitation 
in  safety.     This  journey  produced  a  strong  desire  to 
enjoy  the  advantages  of  a  situation  in  the  country, 
where  he  might,  w^th  less  interruption,  pursue   the 
study  of  the  sacred  volume.     Nevertheless,  he  seems 
to  have  been  entirely  submissive  to  the  will  of  heaven. 
"  Let  me  live  or  die,  ivlien,  and  where  the  Lord  ordains J'^ 
By    particular    recpiest,    he    visited    a   person   at 
Brooklyn,  who  had  been,  for  some  time,  trembling  in 
a  state  of  almost  total  despair.     The  case  was  pecu- 
liarly  alarming.     Every    argument    employed   as  a 
nieans  of  instructing  and  consoling  the  unhappy  back- 
slider   was    rejected.       This    person    pretended    to 
dreams  and  visions,  (generally  a  suspicious  circum- 
stance ;)  and  it  afterwards  became  sufficiently  evident 
that  his  fears  arose  from   secret  indulgence  in  sin. 
One  question  among  others,  which  this  person  pro- 
posed to  Mr.  Stanford  was,  "  Whether  God  did  not 
leave  many  souls,  in  time,  for  the  purpose  of  sealing 
them  up  in  eternal   misery?"      To  this  he  replied, 
"  'Secret  things  belong  to  the  Lord  our  God,''  who  has 
a  right  to  do  what  he  will  with  his  own  ;  yet  it  is  re- 
vealed for  our  admonition,  that  there  are  some,  whom, 
for  their  wickedness,  '  God  gave  over  to  a  7'eprobate 
mind.^  "     (Romans  i.  28.)     This  quotation  from  the 
scriptures,   was  followed  with   tender   admonitions, 
and  a  suitable   selection  of  promises   made  to  dis- 
tressed and  penitent  minds,  but  all  in  vain.     Despair 
seemed  now  to  have  cast  her  shades  of  night  around 
him,  as  the  impenetrable  clouds  which  hover  over — > 

"  That  Syrian  lake,  upon  whose  surface, 
Mom  and  summer  shed  their  smiles  in  vain, 
For  all  beneath  is  dead." 

Upon  this  affecting  case,  Mr.  Stanford  makes  the  fol- 
lowing pious  reflections : — "  Lord,  what  is  man  when 
left  to  himself!     How  much  do  1  deserve  to  be  given 

6* 


ee 


WARWICK  ASSOCIATION. 


up  to  this  hell,  in  conscience,  for  my  many  sins  o( 
omission  and  commission.  What  a  mercy  it  is  Ur 
enjoy  a  hope  in  Christ,  and  the  drawings  of  the  Holy 
Spirit!  Let  me  experience  them  now,  sensibly  and 
abundantly,  that  I  may  humbly  walk  before  God  in 
the  light  of  the  living." 

In  the  month  of  May,  Mr.  Stanford  visited  War- 
wick, for  the  purpose  of  attending  an  Association  of 
Ministers,  at  whose  particular  request  he  preached  the 
annual  sermon,  to  a  large  and  attentive  congregation. 
The  text  was — "Be  of  good  courage,  and  let  us  play  the 
men  for  our  people,  and  for  the  cities  of  our  God:  and 
the  Lord  do  that  ivhich  seemeth  hiui  good.^^  2  Sam.  x.  12. 
The  Circular  Letter,  wliich,  at  a  former  meeting,  he 
had  been  appointed  to  prepare,  Avas  referred  to  a 
committee,  and  being  approved  by  them,  was  ordered 
to  be  printed.  This  interview  jiroved  not  only  refresh- 
ing to  his,  at  that  time  too  much  dejected  mind,  but 
afforded  him  the  opportunity  of  enlarging  his  acquaint- 
ance with  ministering  brethren  from  distant  parts  of 
the  country,  most  of  whom  continued  his  personal 
and  affectionate  friends  until  death.  In  reference  to 
this  meeting  he  made  the  following  remark  in  hi:> 
diary: — "If  such  seasons  be  so  truly  interesting, 
how  great  will  be  the  happiness  of  The  General  Assv- 
ciation  of  all  the  redeemed,  when  they  shall  meet  in 
the  resurrection  of  the  just!" 

From  this  period  until  x\ugust,  nothing  special  oc- 
curred. The  customary  parochial  and  pulpit  duties 
were  regularly  performed,  and  not  without  success. 
Various  family  trials,  as  well  as  many  mercies  re- 
ceived, stand  recorded  in  his  journal  for  June.  Dur- 
ing the  month  of  July  he  appears  to  have  suflered 
considerable  mental  depression,  but  the  Lord  sus- 
tained him. 

His  next  excursion  was  to  Peekskill,  where  he  de- 
livered several  discourses,  which  there  is  reason  to 
hope  were  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 


YELLOW  FEVER.  07 

On  Saturday,  theotli  of  August,  a  serious  affliction 
commenced.  Mr.  (now  Doctor)  I*arrov/,  who  resided 
in  the  family  of  Mr.  Stanford,  (from  the  year  1790, 
until  180G,  and  of  whom  he  makes  frequent  mention 
in  his  diary,  with  all  the  afi'ectionate  tenderness  of  a 
father,)  was  early  this  morning  taken  so  extremely  ill, 
as  to  render  the  attendance  of  a  physician  necessary. 
About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Stanford 
also  was  seized  with  violent  pains,  first  in  the  neck, 
then  in  his  ancles,  and  afterwards  in  his  knees;  as 
though  they  were  girt  with  a  hot  wire.  This  ren- 
dered him  incapable  of  walking,  and  he  was  compelled 
at  length  to  lie  down  on  the  bed.  In  the  evening, 
when  the  doctor  came  to  visit  Mr.  Barrow,  he  found 
Mr.  Stanford  iii  an  alarming  condition,  and  a  xcla 
was  accordingly  opened,  but  only  a  very  small  quan* 
tity  of  blood  could  be  produced.  The  disease  was 
{>rononnced  to  be  the  yellow  fever,  w'iich  but  a  few 
days  before  had  commenced  the  work  of  death  in 
this  city.  The  following  day  being  the  Sabbath,  on 
which  the  Lord's  supper  was  to  have  been  adminis- 
tered to  the  church,  the  people  convened  as  usual, 
and  many  of  them  came  to  visit  their  afflicted  pastor. 
During  this  trying  dispensation  of  Providence,  the 
liOrd  not  only  preserved  his  mind  in  a  state  of  sere- 
nity, but  granted  him  a  spirit  of  filial  resignation  to 
the  will  of  his  heavenly  Father.  It  has  been  said  by 
the  visitors,  that  he  conversed  on  the  subject  of  reli- 
gion with  more  vivacity  and  solemnity  than  they  had 
ever  before  witnessed,  lie  experienced  no  rapturous 
emotions,  but  his  soul  was  deligiitfuljy  resigned  to  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  spirit  of  the  apostle  Paul,  he  scem.^ 
at  this  time  to  have  been  able  to  exclaim:  "  For  m? 
to  live  ii  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.^^  This  w^as  ths 
more  remarkable,  as  his  temporal  concerns  were  at 
that  time  by  no  means  in  a  desirable  state  of  arrange- 
ment. The  next  day,  his  four  children  w  ere  removed 
from  the  house  in  Fair-street,  and  placed  under  tho 


68  DEATH  OF  MRS.  STANFORD. 

care  of  a  friend,  in  a  part  of  the  city  as  yet  unin- 
fected. 

His  fever  increased,  and  raged  with  such  violence, 
that  he  became  perfectly  deranged,  and  in  this  state 
he  continued  until  the  next  Saturday.  This  was  in- 
deed one  of  the  days  of  darkness  in  the  history  of  Mr. 
Stanford ;  but  even  here  the  light  of  salvation  beamed 
upon  him,  and  he  realized  tiie  fulfihnent  of  that  g"ra- 
cious  promise — "  At  evening  time  it  shall  be  lighi.^^ 
On  this  memorable  day,  the  hearse  waited  nearly  two 
hours  in  expectation  of  his  death,  and  for  the  purpose 
of  conveying  him  to  "  the  dark  and  silent  vestibule  of 
departed  souls."  Early  the  next  morning  some  of  his 
friends  came  to  inquire  at  what  time  he  died,  when, 
to  their  astonishment,  they  found  that  the  l^ord  had 
''  rebuked  the  fever, ^^  and  that  there  was  a  strong  pro- 
bability of  his  recovery.  On  the  next  Friday,  his 
wife  was  taken  ill  of  the  same  fever,  but  on  the  follow- 
ing Wednesday  she  was  so  far  recovered  as  to  obtain 
the  physician's  consent  to  visit  her  mother.  This 
apparently  favourable  change  was  succeeded  by  a 
relapse,  which  she  survived  only  four  hours,  and  then 
bowed  in  death.  This  additional  and  very  painful 
affliction,  produced  a  serious  effect  upon  his  emaciated 
frame ;  nevertheless,  he  was  assisted  with  Christian 
resignation  to  say — "  The  icill  of  the  Lord  be  dojieP^ 
The  body  of  Mrs.  Stanford  was  interred  in  the  south- 
west side  of  Trinity  Church  yard;  but  from  the  many 
burials  which  occurred  at  that  time,  it  is  to  be  lament- 
ed that  the  particular  spot  could  never  be  identified. 

Among  the  friends  of  Mr.  Stanford  who  attended 
the  funeral  of  his  wife,  Dr.  Provoost  caught  the  fever, 
but  happily  survived.  •  Mr.  John  Cobby,  Charles 
Hazard,  (a  student  of  divinity,)  Mrs.  Roberts,  and 
her  sister,  contracted  the  same  fatal  disease,  by  sitting 
wp  with  him,  and  died  in  a  few  days.  The  contagion 
prevailed  so  greatly  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood, 
that  it  was  entirely  deserted  by  the  citizens,  and  his 


EFFECTS  OF  YELLOW  FEVER  IN  NEW-YORK.       69 

friend3  thought  it  necessary  to  move  hhii  to  Lumber- 
street,  on  the  other  side  of  the  city,  where  he  continued 
more  than  a  month,  in  great  weakness,  chiefly  owing 
to  a  painful  cutaneous  eruption  whicii  followed  the 
fever.  By  this  time  it  was  computed  tliat  upwards 
of  two  thousand  persons  had  become  victims  to  the 
pestilence.  The  young  and  the  aged,  the  pious  and 
the  profane,  withered  and  sunk  into  the  grave  before 
the  march  of  the  destroyer.  Among  the  fallen  were 
many  of  the  particular  friends  of  Mr.  Stanford. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  lie  was  permitted  to  return 
with  his  fanjily  to  his  own  house.  Very  ^evi  of  the 
neighbours  had  ventured  to  revisit  their  deserted 
habitations,  and  everything  upon  which  the  eye  could 
rest  exhibited  a  spectacle  of  desolation.  Mr.  Stan- 
ibrd  found  his  house  in  extreme  disorder — theft  had 
been  committed  on  his  property — the  loss  of  his  ami- 
able wife — and  a  thousand  painful  reflections  rushing 
upon  his  mind,  produced  a  temporary  depression  of 
feeling.  But  under  all  these  complicated  trials  he 
was  enabled  to  speak  of  the  sparing  mercy  of  his  God, 
and  to  malio  a  fresh  dedication  of  his  soul  and  body 
to  the  service  of  heaven,  and  the  interest  of  hiii 
motherless  children. 

To  preserve  the  history  of  events  in  divine  Provi- 
dence, with  which  the  name  of  Stanford  is  so  remark- 
ably i-dentiiied,  we  subjoin  the  following  summary  : — 

The  first  appearance  of  yellow  fever  in  the  city  of 
New- York  was  in  1791.  It  has  subsequently  visited 
us  in  1795,  J798,  1799,  1800,  1803,  1805,  1819,  and 
18"2"2.  It  is  perhaps  impossible,  definitely  to  fix  the 
number  of  its  victims,  but  from  the  best  sources  of 
information  to  which  we  have  access,  it  is  probable 
that  about  nine  thousand  persons  have  died  of  yellow 
fever  in  New- York.* 


*  As  to  the  cause  aud  prevalence  of  this  terrible  disease,  variou5 
ftuiaions  exist.     It  is  not  our  province  to  examine  the  relative  merits  (A' 


70  COMMEMORATIVE  SERMON. 

By  this  severe  and  protracted  sickness,  the  disper- 
sion of  the  academy,  and  great  extra  expenses,  Mr. 
Stanford  was  brought  under  much  temporal  embar- 
rassment. But  the  Lord,  in  his  kind  providence,  by 
persons  known  and  unknown,  afforded  him  supplies, 
not  unfrequently,  in  a  manner  almost  miraculous. 

In  the  life  of  this  good  man,  how  frequently  are  our 
(Sympathies  excited  in  the  contemplation  of  his  numer- 
ous afflictions,  but  not  more  frequently  than  our  ad- 
miration of  the  mercy  and  faithfulness  of  his  God,  in 
*'  delivering  him  out  of  them  all.''''  And  should  not  we 
learn  from  these  instances  of  Christian  experience, 
that — 

"  Though  all  seem  lost, 'tis  impious  to  despair ; 
The  tracks  of  Providence,  Uke  rivers,  wind  ;" 

And  in  their  windings  prove,  that  ''^All  things  work 
together  for  good,  to  thein  that  love  God.'''' 

On  the  28th  of  October,  Mr.  Stanford  re-opened 
his  place  of  worship,  with  a  discourse,  commemora- 
tive of  his  recovery  from  the  pestilence,  founded  on 
Psalm  XXX.  2,  3,  4. 


the  arguments  employed  upon  this  subject  by  medical  men,  but  the 
following  remarks,  from  the  pen  of  Valentine  Seaman,  M.  D.,  are  in  sncli 
perfect  accordance  with  our  own  views,  that  we  cannot  deny  ourselve:< 
the  pleasure  of  quoting  them. 

"  The  much  agitated  '  question  of  importation  or  non-importation,  as 
it  respects  the  health  of  a  place,'  to  use  the  words  of  Dr.  Smith,  '  sinks 
into  its  merited  insignificance  ;  tlie  efficient  ca\ise,  the  coui<n  sine  qua  non, 
being  clearly  discerned  as  depending  on  local  circumstances.' 

"  To  depend,  therefore,  for  onr  safely  from  yellow  fever,  upon  the 
rigours  of  our  port  laws,  or  the  vigilance  of  our  health  officers,  while 
these  pools  of  putrefaction  are  suffered  to  renjain,  is  like  building  a  city 
Avith  cedar  and  pine,  and  confiding  in  the  icatch  to  secure  us  from  fire. 
But  if  these  pregnant  sourcss  of  destruction  are  dried  up,  we  may,  like 
those  who  case  the  wooden  work  of  their  brick-built,  tile-roofed  houses 
with  iron,  rest  at  ease  in  our  habitations,  equally  secure  against  the 
deceitful  captain's  intrusions,  or  the  incautious  sailor's  blundering  into 
our  ports,  in  the  one  case,  as,  in  the  other,  we  should  be,  of  the  vile 
incendiary's  match  or  the  careless  neighbour's  spark.  As  the  latter 
would  die  in  their  own  combustion,  so  the  former  would  end  in  the  fate 
of  the  single  sutferer." 


DAY  OF  THANKSGIVING.  71 

*'  O  Lord  my  God,  I  cried  unto  thee,  and  thou  hast 
healed  me.     O  Lord,  thou  hast  brought  up  my  soul  from 
the  grave :  thou  hast  kept  me  alive,  that  1  should  not  go 
doxnn  to  the  pit*     Sing  unto  the  Lord,  O  ye  saints  of 
his:' 

On  the  first  of  November,  he  resumed  his  acade- 
mial  (oils,  with  only  five  scholars,  owing  to  the  un- 
M'illingness  of  parents  to  send  their  sons  to  a  part  of 
the  city  where  the  pestilence  had  so  lately  raged  with 
resistless  fury. 

A  short  time  after  the  return  of  his  congregation, 
Mr.  Stanford  preached  a  sermon  on  the  death  of  the 
venerable  John  Cobby,  and  another  on  the  death  of 
Charles  Hazard,  (one  of  his  students  in  divinity,)  both 
of  whom  died  of  the  fever.  The  latter  discourse  was 
printed,  and  the  profits  applied  to  the  erection  of  a 
monumental  tomb-stone.  On  this  day,  for  the  first 
time  since  the  commencement  of  the  pestilence,  Mr. 
Stanford  administered  the  Lord's  supper  to  as  many 
uf  the  members  of  his  church  as  could  be  collected. 
It  was  a  season  of  deep  solemnity ;  and  all  present 
appeared  to  be  seriously  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the 
mercy  of  God  in  their  preservation  from  death.  The 
rest  of  the  month  was  filled  up  with  various  private 
and  public  duties,  and  the  goodness  of  God  continued 
to  be  displayed  in  the  bestowment  of  many  temporal 
and  spiritual  mercies.  His  health  however  continued 
to  be  very  feeble,  and  it  was  only  through  the  special 
grace  of  the  Lord,  that  he  was  enabled  to  persevere 
in  the  discharge  of  his  olHcial  labours. 

The  year  1799  was  commenced  by  a  solemn  revicTr 
of  the  afflicting  scenes  of  the  past,  and  an  unreserved 
dedication  of  himself  to  the  service  of  bis  Lord  and 
Saviour. 

The  5th  of  January  was  set  apart  by  the  citizens, 
nnd  churches,  as  a  day  for  humiliation,  and  of  special 
thanksgiving  for  restoration  from  the  late  public 
calamitv.     As  Mr.  Stanford  was  amon;]Cst  those  who 


72  THE  EUCHARIST. 

had  sulTered  most  severely,  ami  had  at  the  same  time 
experienced  the  dehverin«r  mercy  of  the  Lord,  when 
nil  hope  of  recovery  had  fled,  it  would  seem  gratuit- 
ous to  say,  that  he  was  amon^r  the  foremost  to  appear 
at  the  altar,  with  his  thank-oiic ring.  In  reference  to 
the  public  service  in  his  own  church,  3Ir.  Stanford 
remarks — "  I  believe  every  heart  in  the  congregation 
felt  the  sweet  emotions  of  gratitude,  and  every  tongue 
praised  the  delivering  hand  of  God.  O  that  I  could 
improve  the  future  golden  moments,  and  my  whole 
life  be  loaded  with  fruits  of  righteousness  !'' 

"  O !  may  I  ne'er  forget 

The  mercae^  of  m_v  God. 
Nor  ever  want  a  ton§ne  to  spread. 
His  loudest  praise  abroad." 

The  congregation  having  considerably  increased* 
and  most  of  the  members  of  tlie  church  returned  to 
the  city,  they  assembled  again  on  the  3d  of  3Iarch.  to 
commemorate,  in  the  eucharist,  tiie  death  of  Christ. 
'*  On  this  occasion."'  says  Mr.  Stanford,  *'  the  Lord 
was  sensibly  present.  In  preaching  the  gospel,  the 
Lord  to  me  was  truly  gracious,  and  made  it  a  season 
of  joy  to  the  assembly.  While  administerincf  the 
bread,  as  the  expressive  emblem  of  my  Saviour? 
crucified  body.  I  w  as  endulged  vrith  clearer  faith,  and 
more  devout  affections,  than  I  had  experienced  for 
many  years.  To  the  communicants  also,  the  Lord 
was  *  made  known  in  the  breaking-  of  bnad,'  and  they 
experienced  the  sweets  of  Christian  union,  as  fellow 
heirs  of  the  grace  of  life.  3Iay  this  be  to  us  a  fore- 
taste of  the  Saviour's  speedy  visitation!" 

About  the  latter  end  of  this  month,  Mr.  Stanford  ex- 
perienced great  symptomatic  debility,  almost  amount- 
ing to  a  second  attack  of  the  disease :  and  several 
other  persons,  who  had  been  restored  from  the  same 
calamity,  were  thrown  into  a  similar  condition.  The 
powers  of  the  mind,  like  a  bow  unduly  Etrained,  ap^ 


ORDINATION  OF  THE  REV.  DANIEL  HALL.  73 

peared  to  be  breaking,  and  this  was  accompanied  with 
an  almost  entire  prostration  of  the  physical  energies, 
but  in  no  case  did  this  relapse  prove  fatal.  It  was, 
however,  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Stanford's  physicians, 
that  a  pulmonary  consumption  would  be  the  result. 
Upon  this  point  he  remarks : — "  I  was  assisted  to 
look  unto  the  Lord,  remember  his  former  loving- 
kindness,  and  earnestly  to  pray,  that  Christ  might  be 
magnified  in  my  body,  whether  by  life  or  by  death." 

Hoping  that  a  journey  might  contribute  to  his 
restoration,  he  left  home  on  the  22d  of  May,  for  Peek-^ 
skill  and  Clinton-Town.  At  Peekskill  he  assisted 
in  the  ordination  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Hall,  as  pastor 
of  the  church  in  that  place.  The  sermon  which  he 
preached  on  that  occasion,  was  from  2  Corinthians 
ii.  16 — "  To  the  one  ice  are  the  savour  of  death  unto 
death;  and  to  the  other ^  the  savour  of  life  unto  life. 
And  li'ho  is  sufficient  for  these  tliingsT'  This,  to  3Ir. 
Stanford,  must  have  been  an  event  of  great  interest, 
as  Mr.  Hall  had  been  one  of  his  divinity  students. 

On  the  28th  he  arrived  at  Clinton-Town,  and  met 
a  number  of  ministers  at  their  annual  Association,  by 
whose  request  he  preached  a  sermon,  from  1  Kings 
XX.  11 — "  And  the  king  of  Israel  ansicered  and  said. 
Tell  him,  Let  not  him  that  girdeth  on  his  harness  hoast 
himself  as  lie  that  jndteth  it  off.'''  "  Here,"  says  the 
good  man,  "I  sensibly  felt  my  infirmities  of  body  and 
mind.  I  was  very  kindly  entertained  by  a  family  who 
were  of  the  people  called  Friends,  but  had  to  lament 
that  owing  to  indisposition,,!  was  entirely  disqualified 
from  ministering  to  their  edification  in  private  conver- 
sation. Nevertheless,  the  Lord  was  kind  in  granting 
me  aid  in  the  public  services,  and  bearing  me  through 
the  long  and  tedious  journey." 

In  July  he  became  so  much  debilitated,  that  his 
physicians  advised  him  to  remove  into  the  country. 
"  About  this  time,"  he  says,  "  I  received  several  in- 
vitations to  take  charge  of  public  seminaries  ;  one  in 


74         THE  MOVING  OF  THE  CLOUD* 

this  State,  and  another  in  Pennsylvania."  This  \ra3 
made  a  suhject  of  much  serious  reflection  and  prayer. 
But  obstacles  of  various  kinds  occurred,  and  at  no 
time  could  he  perceive  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
remove. 

At  this  time  a  minister  in  New-Jersey,  who  was 
under  peculiar  embarrassment  in  regard  to  the  path 
of  duty,  wrote  to  him  for  advice,  on  his  contemplated 
removal  to  a  distant  state.     To  this  Mr.  Stanford 
replied,  by  referring  him  to  the  case  of  the  Israelites 
in    their  journey  through   the   wilderness.     If  they 
moved  before  the  cloud  ascended,  they  had  no  assurance 
of  protection  from  their  enemies;  and  if  they  abode  in 
the  camp  Vvhen  the  cloud  moved,  they  were  equally 
in  danger  of  being  consumed.     Just  so  is  the  provi- 
dence of  God  towards  his  people,  upon  which,  there- 
fore, it  well  becomes  them  to  fix  the  eye  of  faith,  and 
with  humble   prayer   for   direction,   always  to  wait 
for  the  moving  of  the  cloud.     Upon  this  point  fatal 
errors  are  daily  committed,  as  well  in  the  moral  as 
in  the  natural  v/orld.     Some,  with  a  precipitous  self- 
confidence,  leap  forward    unbidden  by  the  voice  of 
Providence,    and   become    the  victims  of  their  own 
folly,  while  others  procrastinate  beyond  the  time  for 
action,  and— 

"  All  the  voyage  of  their  life 
Is  bound  ill  shallows  and  in  miseries." 

It  is  said  concerning  the  Roman  Fabius,  that  he  al- 
ways delayed  until  the  proper  moment  came,  but  he 
never  delayed  until  it  was  past.  The  advice  which 
Mr.  Stanford  gave  to  his  friend  was  not  without  bene- 
fit to  himself,  and  produced  a  conviction  in  his  own 
breast,  that  whereas  God  had  manifestly  ^^ pitched  his 
ienf  in  the  city  of  New- York,  duty  required  him,  not- 
withstanding his  ill  health  and  other  embarrassments, 
to  remain,  and  be  obedient  to  the  will  of  heaven,  what- 
ever might  be  the  issue.    This  humble  and  submissive 


RE-APPEARANCE  OF  YELLOW  FEVER.  75 

disposition  was  not  permitted  to  pass  unregarded. 
Was  he  willing  here  to  abide,  and  labour  to  promote 
the  kingdom  of  God?  Here,  God  determined  amply 
to  reward  his  faithful  servant,  by  crowning  his  labours 
with  success,  and  his  life  with  the  blessings  of  many 
years. 

In  the  month  of  August,  a  house  in  Greenwich- 
street  was  hired,  into  which  he  removed  with  his 
family,  and  where  it  was  hoped  a  more  free  circulation 
of  air  would  contribute  to  the  recovery  of  his  health; 
but  scarcely  had  a  single  month  elapsed,  before  the 
yellow  fever  again  made  its  appearance  in  the  city, 
and  once  more,  the  inhabitants  were  scattered  like 
sheep  upon  the  mountains.  As  by  this  event,  his 
place  of  worship  was  almost  entirely  deserted,  and 
receiving  an  invitation  from  Mount-Pleasant  to  bring 
liis  family  to  that  place  for  a  few  weeks,  he  accord- 
ingly removed  from  New-York  on  the  18th  of  August, 
and  was  affectionately  received  beneath  the  hospita- 
ble roof  of  Elijah  Hunter,  Esq.  where  he  remained 
until  the  21st  of  October,  and  enjoyed  not  only 
a  favourable  opportunity  for  study,  but  an  ample 
field  of  usefulness.  He  preached  in  the  church  at 
Mount-Pleasant  on  the  Sabbath  morning  and  evening, 
but  lectured  in  the  neighbouring  places  during  the 
week;  these  services  it  is  believed  were  not  in  vain 
in  the  Lord. 

On  his  return  to  New- York,  he  was  importuned  to 
commence  a  series  of  Wednesday  evening  lectures,  in 
a  room  in  Greenwich-street,  which  was  hired  for  that 
purpose.  Concerning  these  lectures,  the  writer  has 
heard  intelligent  Christians  speak  in  no  ordinary 
terms  of  commendation.  To  the  souls  of  many  now 
in  heaven,  they  seem  to  have  been  refreshing,  as  was 
the  stream  that  gushed  from  Horeb's  rock,  to  the 
suffering  Israelites  at  Rephidim. 

On  the  first  Lord's  day  in  December,  he  preached 
twice,   and   administered  the  Lord  s  supper  to  the 


7G  FEARS  DIriSIPATED. 

church,  with  more  than  usual  gratitude  and  spiritual 
eno^aofedness.  In  the  eveninic  he  received  a  letter 
from  Mount-Pleasant,  containiniJ^  the  cheeriuijr  inteili- 
gence,  that  in  his  late  visit  to  that  place,  the  Lord 
had  been  pleased  to  accompany  his  efforts  in  preach- 
ing the  gospel,  with  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  that  several  persons  had  been  converted  to  God 
through  the  instrumentality  of  his  labours,  and  many 
others  were  inquiring  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved. 
"  This,"  he  remarks,  "  was  to  me  in  my  weakness 
and  various  trials,  as  a  refreshing  cordial.  It  served 
also  to  clothe  me  with  humility,  and  to  excite  my 
gratitude  and  praise  to  the  God  of  ail  grace." 

On  the  24th  of  December,  this  beini:r  tlie  season  of 
vacation,  he  took  a  journey  by  land  to  Mount-Plea- 
sant, in  company  with  a  friend.  Several  disasters 
occurred  on  the  road,  so  that  they  did  not  arrive  till 
eleven  at  night;  nevertheless,  he  was  enabled  next 
day  to  preach  with  some  satisfaction  to  himself  and 
the  congregation.  During  this  visit,  a  circumstance 
occurred  which  verifies  the  common  adage  : — That 
anticipated  afflictions  produce  a  greater  effect  on  the 
mind  than  those  which  are  actually  experienced. 
Very  early  in  the  morning,  a  person  came  into  his 
chamber  and  informed  him,  that  "  one  of  his  family 
had  fallen  into  a  painful  calamity."  The  suddenness 
of  the  information,  the  abrupt  manner  in  which  it  was 
communicated,  and  the  debilitated  condition  of  his 
person,  combined  to  make  an  overwhelming  impres- 
sion upon  his  mind.  Nevertheless,  the  Lord  sustained 
him;  and  when  he  arrived  at  home,  he  found  to  his 
great  surprise  and  joy,  that  the  report  which  had  so 
much  alarmed  and  distressed  him,  was  without  foun- 
dation. Thus  vanished  in  a  moment  this  imaginary 
cloud,  the  threatening  aspect  of  which  had  inspired  so 
much  unnecessary  terror. 

An  examination  of  his  journal  for  the  year  J 800, 
has  furnished  but  few  items  of  special  public  interest. 


AxMIABLE  TRAIT  OF  CHARACTER.  77 

although,  as  a  Christian  and  a  minister,  the  Lord  ap- 
pears to  have  favoured  him,  in  the  discharge  of  his 
various  duties,  with  Hvely  exercises  of  faith,  love,  and 
gratitude.  In  the  early  part  of  this  year,  the  church 
at  Mount-Pleasant  gave  him  another  invitation  to 
settle  in  that  place  as  their  pastor.  As  one  means  of 
ascertaining  the  will  of  Providence,  he  referred  the 
subject  to  the  judgment  of  his  congregation.  The 
result  was,  that  they  expressed  a  unanimous  wish  that 
their  pastor  should  remain  with  them;  of  course  his 
resolution  to  continue  in  the  city  was  more  than  ever 
confirmed.  About  two  months  after  this  he  received 
another  very  urgent  invitation  to  remove  to  a  church 
in  New-Jersey,  which  he  also  thought  it  his  duty  to 
decline. 

In  the  month  of  October  he  took  a  journey  to  Phila- 
delphia, for  the  purpose  of  meeting  a  number  of  minis- 
ters and  representatives  of  churches.  By  particular 
request,  he  preached  the  second  sermon  to  the  assem- 
bly, on  "  The  duty  of  praying  for  the  ministers  of  the 
gospel.''''  The  business  of  this  meeting  appears  to  have 
been  conducted  with  great  harmony,  a  circumstance 
which  in  no  inconsiderable  degree  contributed  to  the 
happiness  experienced  by  Mr.  Stanford,  for  he  was 
pre-eminently  a  friend  of  peace,  and  a  promoter  of 
brotherly  love.  It  was  an  amiable  trait  in  the  char- 
acter of  this  good  man,  that,  however  calumniated 
or  injured  by  others,  he  always  did  honour  to  himself, 
and  to  the  religion  which  he  professed,  l)v  exemplify- 
ing the  apostolic  maxim,  "  Speak  evil  of  no  man,'''' 
Like  the  excellent  John  Brown,  of  Haddington, 
when  reviled  and  persecuted,  he  seemed  to  consider 
himself  so  much  the  more  bound  by  the  principles  of 
Christian  love,  to  promote  the  temporal  and  spiritual 
welfare  of  his  enemies,  and  to  pray  for  their  *'  redemp- 
tion through  the  blood  of  Christ,''''  that  they  might  ob- 
tain "  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of 

Ms  grace*^^     In  the  same  spirit,  John  Bunyan  used  to 

7* 


78  URIM  AND  THUMMIM. 

say  concerning  his  enemies — "Let  them  call  me  what 
they  please,  may  the  Lord  call  them  the  holy  ones, 
the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  sought  out  and  not  for- 
saken." 

During  this  year  Mr.  Stanford  published  another 
volume  of  "  The  Christian'' s  Pocket  Library  ;^''  and  on 
the  25th  of  December  he  went  to  Mount-Pleasant, 
by  special  request,  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  a 
sermon  to  a  Masonic  Lodge.  This  discourse,  en- 
titled "  The  Urim  and  Thummim,"  was  afterwards 
printed  at  the  expense  of  the  Lodge. 


CHAPTER    V. 

CONVERSIONS LOSS  BY  FIRE CONFIDENCE  IN    DIVINE    PRO- 
VIDENCE  JOURNEY    TO    NEW-JERSEY    AND    PENNSYLVANIA 

AN  AWFUL  SCENE YELLOW  FEVER. 

On  the  12th  of  Mffrch,  1801,  at  the  particular 
request  of  many  pious  persons  of  different  religious 
tlenominations,  Mr.  Stanford  commenced  a  course  of 
Thursday  evening  lectures,  in  a  neighbourhood  where 
the  gospel  was  seldom  if  ever  preached.  This  service 
was  well  attended;  and  is  supposed  to  have  proved  a 
blessing  to  many.  About  the  same  time  lie  received 
an  invitation  to  settle  at  Warwick,  and  take  charge 
of  the  church  in  that  town  ;  but  being  fully  persuaded 
that  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  he  should  continue 
in  this  city,  the  application  was  dismissed,  with  suit- 
able acknowledgments.  In  the  month  of  May  he 
returned  with  his  family  to  his  own  house  in  Fair- 
street,  that  part  of  the  city  being  then  considered  in 
a  healthy  state.  "  This,"  he  remarks,  "was  accom- 
panied with  devotional  exercises  of  heart,  that  the 
Lord  would  be  pleased  to  dwell  in  my  habitation, 
which  he  had  given  me,  and  in  vvdiich  I  had  experi- 
enced so  many  mercies,  in  tne  midst  of  so  many 
severe  afiiictions*"  Thus  to  dedicate  our  habitations 
unto  the  Lord,  by  constituting  them  places  for  stated 
and  special  seasons  of  religious  worship,  is  a  Christian 
duty  and  privilege.  Does  Jehovah,  in  the  plenitude 
of  his  mercy,  prolong  our  lives,  and  preserve  our 
habitations  from  the  encircling  flames?  O  let  them 
become  temples  devoted  to  his  praise !  Let  us  say, 
in  the  spirit  of  the  devoted  patriarch — ^^  As  for  me 
and  my  house,  ive  will  serve  the  Lord,^^  Joshua  xxiv, 
15. 


80  YOUNG  CONVERTS. 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  month  he  took  a  journey 
to  Bedford,  (New-York,)  as  a  delegate  to  the  Baptist 
Association,  assembled  in  that  place.  At  this  Asso- 
ciation he  says,  "  Great  harmony  and  Christian  love 
prevailed."  O  how  sweet  on  earth  to  enjoy  such 
interviews  with  the  people  of  God,  as  a  fore-taste  of 
the  fellowship  of  saints  in  heaven.  After  the  close  of 
public  business,  he  received  an  invitation  to  meet 
between  twenty  and  ^birty  young  persons,  from  the 
age  of  twelve  to  twenty,  who  had  recently  experi- 
enced religion,  and  seemed  on  the  wing  for  heaven. 
"  Never,"  he  remarks,  "  did  I  behold  a  scene  so 
charming,  and  never  did  I  experience  more  real 
satisfaction  in  discharging  the  duties  of  my  ministerial 
office,  than  in  commending  them  to  that  blessed 
Shepherd  who  gathereth  the  lambs  with  his  arm,  and 
carrieth  them  in  his  bosom."  The  deep  interest 
which  Mr.  Stanford  manifested  in  the  eternal  welfare 
of  children  and  youth,  is  a  trait  in  his  character  as  a 
man  and  a  Christian  minister,  which  not  only  procured 
for  him  the  praises  of  men  while  living,  but  will  em- 
balm his  memory  in  the  grateful  hearts  of  thousands. 
No  inconsiderable  part  of  his  life  was  employed  in 
training  youth  for  the  scenes  of  earth,  and  the  joys  of 
heaven.  And  it  is  quite  remarkable,  that  although 
the  peculiar  gravity  and  dignity  of  his  appearance 
was  such  as  to  preclude,  rather  than  to  invite  juvenile 
familiarity,  yet  no  other  man  within  our  knowledge,  of 
the  same  age,  was  so  universally  a  favourite  amongst 
children  as  "  Father  Stanford."  One  little  boy,  (the 
son  of  a  clergyman,)  was  asked  whom  he  liked  best 
as  a  preacher,  "  O,"  said  he,  "  I  like  old  Father 
Stanford  best,  because  he  is  a  very  good  man,  and 
he  speaks  out,  so  that  I  can  understand  him." 

In  the  month  of  Auo:ust  he  as:ain  visited  Mount- 
Pleasant,  but  it  seems  that  he  left  his  family  on  this 
occasion  with  an  unusual  degree  of  reluctance.  Here, 
and  in  the  places  adjacent,  he  preached  several  ser~ 


PAINFUL  TIDINGS.  81 

iiions,  and  appears  to  have  enjoyed  the  presence  of 
the  Lord  in  liis  blessed  service.  One  day  alter  dinner 
ho  went  witii  his  friend  into  the  garden,  there  to 
enjoy  the  pleasure  of  uninterrupted  conversation, 
when,  turning  an  angle  which  presented  a  full  view 
of  the  Hudson,  he  observed  a  sloop  advancing  from 
New- York,  in  which  he  expected  his  two  sons.  He 
iniriiediately  repaired  to  the  dock,  in  order  to  welcome 
theii) ;  but  ah  !  how  little  do  we  know  what  lies  con- 
cealed beneath  the  unveiled  purposes  of  Divine  Pro- 
vidence. As  soon  as  tlie  vessel  struck  the  dock  he 
observed  many  of  the  passengers  on.deck  fixing  their 
eyes  on  him,  and  one  of  them  stepped  on  shore  to 
inform  him,  that  his  sons  were  not  on  board.  A 
second,  with  much  caution  and  tenderness,  informed 
hiji],  that,  early  on  Tuesday  morniiig,  his  house  of 
w'orsliip,  and  several  other  buildings  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, were  consumed  by  fire  ;  and  immedia.tely 
after,  a  thjrd  person  handed  him  a  letter,  which  con- 
firmed the  rejjort.  This  unexpected  and  painful  in- 
formation produced  a  momeritary  regret,  but  did  not 
prevent  Mr.  Stanford  from  calmly  resigning  himself 
to  the  sovereign  pleasure  of  Him  "  icho  worketh  all 
things  after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will.^^  It  was  a  fine 
reflection  made  by  a  pious  lady,  when  news  was 
brought  to  her  of  two  children  drowned,  \vhom  she 
loved  very  much: — ''  Ah !  I  see  that  God  will  have  my 
wdiole  heart;  and  he  shall  have  it."  And  thus  too, 
the  afllicted  servant  of  Christ  could  say,  even  when 
God,  by  the  dark  and  mysterious  dispensations  of  his 
providence  has  laid  waste  all  his  earthly  prospects— 
*'  Righteous  art  thou,  O  Lord,  and  upright  are  thy 
judgments,'^'' 

Next  morning  he  commenced  his  journey  to  the 
city,  and  arrived  in  the  evening  at  the  house  of  a 
friend,  thankful  to  the  Lord  that  he  once  more  could 
embrace  his  children  in  safety.  On  the  following  day 
he  visited  the  smoking  ruins  of  the  house  which,  at 


82  THE  PULPIT  PRESERVED. 

his  own  expense,  and  with  great  kibour,  he  had 
erected  for  the  worship  of  God.*  It  was  a  remarkable 
circumstance,  that  although  every  thing  around  it 
was  reduced  to  ashes,  the  pulpit  remained  almost 
uninjured,  and  one  of  the  firemen  actually  stood  in 
the  pulpit  directing  the  pipe  of  the  engine,  while 
surrounded  by  the  flames.  "  At  the  moment,"  says 
Mr.  Stanford,  "  the  sight  of  the  preserved  pulpit 
created  a  sort  of  impression  on  my  mind,  that  my 
pubUc  labours  in  the  gospel  ministry  were  not  quite 
at  an  end,  and  that  yet  I  might  '  be  saved  though  as 
lyfiver^ 

Many  years  have  elapsed  since  that  fiery  trial,  and 
surely  the  Lord  granted  him  according  to  his  faith. 
Not  only  were  his  services  in  the  gospel  ministry 
continued,  but  extended  far  beyond  his  most  san- 
guine ex])ectation.  The  universal  public  esteem 
entertained  towards  Mr.  Stanford  was  abundantly 
evinced  on  this  occasion.  The  multitude  assembled 
seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  efforts  to  save  his 
property  from  the  devouring  element,  and  when  that 
was  found  impracticable,  a  very  generous  contribution 
was  made  by  the  citizens  to  reinstate  him,  and  as  a 
public  testimony  of  their  regard.  These  circumstan- 
ces appear  to  have  increased  his  determination,  in  the 
name  and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  to  devote  his  life 
to  promote  the  moral  benefit  of  the  city  of  New- York, 
as  an  expression  of  his  gratitude  for  the  favours  he 


*  It  is  a  fact  in  the  history  of  Mr.  Stanford,  and  worthy  of  record,  tliat 
iu  the  erection  of  the  place  of  worship,  in  which  he  commenced  his 
ministry  in  New-York,  he  expended  all  the  funds  which  he  brought  with 
him  to  America.  Had  he  followed  the  advice  of  friends,  and  invested 
his  money  in  the  purchase  of  real  estate,  he  coukl  not  fail  to  have 
secured  for  his  family,  a  princely  fortune.  But  his  zeal  for  the  worship  of 
God  absorbed  every  consideration  of  personal  emolument.  The  writer 
has  heard  him  say,  that  at  one  time,  in  the  year  L797,  he  was  offered  a 
property  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds,  which,  in  the  opinion  of 
good  judges,  is  now  worth  sixty  thousand  dollars.  According  to  thia 
estimate,  a  different  appropriation  of  the  amount  expended  in  the  causa 
of  Christ,  would  have  secured  millions  for  his  private  advantage. 


HIS  COXGRECfATION  DISPERSED.  S3 

received  from  its  inhabitants.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
destruction  of  his  place  of  worship,  led  to  the  disper- 
sion of  the  church  and  congregation,  and  most  of  the 
members  considered  it  to  be  their  duty  to  unite  with 
the  other  Baptist  churches  in  the  city.  Thus  by  the 
will  of  God,  his  many  years  labour  and  anxiety  in  re- 
lation to  the  church,  vanished  in  an  hour,  and  he  was 
called  in  Providence  to  appropriate  the  language  of 
David — "  Thou  hast  showed  me  hard  things:  thou  hast 
made  'me  to  drink  the  icine  of  astonishment ^ 

As  a  pastor  he  had  for  many  years  laboured,  and 
watched,  and  prayed  for  the  souls  of  his  beloved  peo- 
ple, and  perhaps  he  had  fondly  hoped  that  the  evening 
of  his  life  would  be  passed  in  the  bosom  of  an  affec^ 
tionate  church;  but  heaven  had  otherwise  determined. 
Other,  though  not  less  important  objects  were  to  be 
accomplished  by  the  servant  of  the  Lord.  He  must 
"•^  glorify  God  in  the  fir  es^^^  and  then  spend  the  remain- 
der of  his  days,  as  the  herald  of  liberty  through  Christ, 
to  the  captive  in  the  dungeon;  and  as  tlie  messenger 
of  mercy  to  the  poor. 

"  Our  hope  is  a  delicate  flower, 

Which  yields  to  each  furions  hlast; 
And  often  we  lose  in  an  hour, 

What  promis'd  for  ages  to  last. 
Vv^hen  the  heavens  are  calm  and  serene, 

We  fancy  't  will  always  be  day. 
Till  the  whirlwind  and  storm  intervene. 

And  sweep  the  bright  prospect  av/ay/' 

This  dispensation  placed  him  in  a  very  trying  situa" 
tion.  He  was  like  a  person  beginning  the  world 
a!]ew.  Nevertheless,  he  appears  to  have  possessed 
his  soul  in  patience.  His  diary  about  this  time  bears 
the  marks  of  a  heart  oppressed  indeed  with  the  afflic- 
tions of  life,  but  sweetly  resting  on  the  promise  of  a 
covenant  God.  His  letters,  his  preaching,  and  such 
parts  of  his  conversation  as  have  been  cherished  in 
the  memory  of  his  friends,  all  conspired  to  prove  that-^= 


S4        TIIOUGRTS  ON  THE  TIIIRTY-TIIIRD  PSALRI. 

"  Afilictioa  is  the  good  inan-.s  shining  scene; 
Prosperity  conceals  his  brightest  ray : 
As  night  to  stars,  wo  kistre  gives  to  man." 

The  remainder  of  this  year  was  not  attended  with 
any  thin^  particularly  requiring  our  attention.  Mr. 
Stanford  occasionally  preached  in  the  different  pulpits 
in  the  city,  and  esj)ecially  in  Greenwich,  where,  until 
that  time,  the  sound  of  the  gospel  was  seldom  heard. 
His  academy  continued  to  flourish,  and  the  health  of 
his  family  was  mercifully  preserved.  The  following 
simple  and  beautiful  thoughts  on  Psahn  xxiii.  1.  are 
found  in  his  diary  for  the  last  day  of  this  year : — "  The 
Lord  is  i-^iy  Shejjhcrd,,  I  sliaU  not  icant.''  How  great 
is  the  provision  which  the  Shepherd  of  Israel  hath 
provided  for  his  flock!  They  can  never  ivant  the 
supplies  of  his  providence,  so  far  at  least  as  may  con- 
sist with  their  need.  They  can  never  leant  a  suffici- 
ency of  his  pardoning,  comforting,  and  supporting 
grace,  so  long  as  their  Shepherd  is  Almighty.  This 
I  do  most  confidently  believe,  and  do  therefore  fer- 
vently pray,  that  I  may  never  want  faith  to  trust  my 
Shepherd's  care,  under  the  darkest  providences,  nor 
irant  a  heart  to  love  and  serve  him  to  the  end  of  my 
days." 

As  a  traveller  v/ho  has  passed  through  a  dreary 
wilderness,  when  he  arrives  at  the  summit  of  a  hili, 
looks  back  to  contemplate  the  difficulties  and  dangers 
of  the  way — to  return  thanks  for  deliverance,  and  to 
dedicate  himself  to  the  service  of  his  almighty  Pro- 
tector ;  so  did  Mr.  Stanford  commence  the  year  1802, 
f)y  reviewing  the  events  of  the  past,  and  again  com- 
mitting his  body  and  soul,  his  family  and  his  ministry, 
to  the  merciful  direction  of  heaven, 

"  Why  slionld  I  doubt  his  love  at  last, 
With  anxious  thoughts  perplex'd  ? 
Who  sav'd  me  in  the  troubles  past, 
Will  save  me  in  the  next. 


LETTER  TO  DR.  B.  85 

Will  save,  'till  at  my  latest  hour, 

With  more  than  conquest  blest, 
I  soar  beyond  temptation's  power, 

To  my  Redeemer's  breast." 

The  following  letter  to  Dr.  B******,  on  the  death 
of  his  eldest  son,  is  expressive  of  his  pious  sympathy 
for  the  afflicted, 

''August  10,  1802. 

«'  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  You  are  too  advanced  in  life  not  to  have  experi- 
enced the  truth  of  the  remark,  that  '  3Ian  is  born  to 
trouble,  as  the  sparks  fl^  upward.''  Not,  that  an  infinitely 
wise  and  good  Being  can  delight  in  planting  thorns 
in  the  paths  of  his  creatures  ;  no,  it  is  our  transgress 
sions  that  have  produced  the  multijijlicity  of  evils  which 
attend  us. 

"  Under  all  the  calamities  of  life  it  well  becomes 
us  to  feel  for  others  wo,  and  aid  their  trembling  steps 
along  the  rugged  road.  Can  1  then,  my  dear  Sir, 
forbear  to  offer  my  condolence  under  your  great 
domestic  sorrow?  I  v/rite  not  to  open  the  wound 
wider,  or  make  it  bleed  more  profusely,  by  enumerating 
the  attendant  circumstances  of  your  affliction,  but  to 
repeat  the  salutary  sentiment  of  a  well  known  pen— - 
'  For  us  they  sicken^  and  for  us  they  die.'  Events 
like  this  are  well  calculated  to  teach  us,  that  we  can- 
not grasp  the  full  blown  rose  without  feeling  its  pierc- 
ing thorn  ;  and  that  our  very  '  comforts  may  become 
killing.'  Soon,  we  also  must  retire  to  the  shades  of 
death ;  therefore  to  enjoy  the  smiles  of  Immanuel, 
can  alone  constitute  our  true  felicity.  But  why  need 
I  repeat  to  you  lessons  which  your  age  and  Christian 
experience  must  have  taught  you,  long  ere  this.  My 
earnest  prayer  to  God  for  you  is,  that  the  loss  of  the 
creature  may  be  amply  compensated  by  the  enjoyment 
of  the  Creator,  and  that  your  future  days  may,  with 
greater  ardour,   be  emploved  in  the  service  of  the 

8 


36  REV.  DR.  LIVINGi^TON. 

Lord.     May  your  happiness  increase  as  you  aproxi* 
mate  the  bliss  of  inmiortality. 

•'  Your's  sincerely, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD." 

The  following  remarks,  evince  the  feelings  of  iiis 
heart  with  respect  to  evangelical  Cliristians,  and 
ministers  of  other  denominations.  "  The  exercises 
of  my  occasional  ministry  have  been  most  frequently 
in  the  Independent  church  in  Warren-street,  and 
which  will,  1  hope,  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  When 
not  engaged  in  preaching  on  the  Lord's  day  morning, 
I  generally  attend  the  ministry  of  my  friend,  Dr. 
Livingston,  of  the  Dutch  Church,  whose  word  it  has 
pleased  God  frequently  to  accompany  with  power  to 
my  heart. 

"April  28.  This  morning,  under  a  sermon  by  the 
Doctor,  on  the  parable  of  the  sower,  I  was  favoured 
with  such  views  of  the  glory  of  God,  as  I  never  had 
beforCj  nor  have  I  since  experienced.  Well,  Peter, 
James,  and  John,  were  but  once  on  the  mount  with 
their  Saviour,  and  I  am  thankful,  if  but  once  in  my 
life,  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  grant  a  p<?6'z///«r  discovery 
of  himself,  to  me  who  am  the  least  deserving  of  the 
children  of  men." 

It  is  said  of  the  immortal  Luther,  that  ''  he  was 
innocently  witty,"  and  the  memoir  of  Mr.  Stanford 
would  be  very  incomplete,  if  we  should  omit  to  record, 
at  least  some  of  those  laconisms  in  which  his  collo- 
quial and  epistolary  style  so  much  abounded.  To 
enable  the  reader  to  form  an  accurate  opinion  with 
respect  to  this  peculiar  feature  of  his  mind,  and  also 
for  the  purpose  of  narrating  the  incidents  which  he 
sometimes  describes  with  great  felicity,  we  shall  oc- 
casionally introduce  letters,  written  to  some  of  his 
most  intimate  friends. 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stanford  to  Captain  W*****. 


LETTER  TO  CAPTAIN  W.  87 

''January  IG,  1802. 

*'  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Accept  my  sincere  thanks  for  your  acceptable 
present  of  an  excellent  cheese.  This  ai)pears  to 
have  been  a  valuable  domestic  article  many  ages 
since.  Little  David  was  sent  by  Jesse,  his  father,  to 
carry  ten  cheeses  for  the  use  of  his  brethren,  and  the 
captain  of  their  company.  1  Samuel  xvii.  18.  When 
David,  the  king",  was  in  distress  in  the  wilderness, 
Burzillai  sent  a  cheese  for  David  ;  and  I  doubt  not, 
it  was  gratefully  received,  and  acceptable  to  him  in 
his  time  of  need,  as  was  yours  to  me.  Your  kind 
present  .6ad  also  a  tendency  to  remind  me  of  my  past 
afflictions  from  the  hand  of  the  Lord. — '  Tlioa  hast 
curdled  me  like  ckeese^^  said  Job,  (x.  10.)  And  so  in- 
deed, have  I  been !  Here  we  may  remark,  that  if 
there  had  been  no  curd,  there  would  have  been  no 
cheese,  and  it  is  just  so  in  regard  to  the  souls  of  men. 
No  cross,  no  crown;  no  furnace,  no  pure  gold.  'If 
■we  are  without  chastisement,  whereof  all  are  partakers^ 
then  are  ive  hastards  and  not  sons.^  I  should  as  soon 
expect  a  cheese  without  curd,  as  to  find  a  Christian 
without  affliction.  How  careful  is  the  farmer  in 
curdling  the  milk  ?  Upon  great  care  in  this  part  of 
the  prjcess,  materially  depends,  the  flavour  of  the 
cheese.  This  reminds  me  of  the  wisdom  of  God, 
whose  hand  has  conducted  all  my  troubles,  and 
enabled  me  to  sing  of  mercy  and  loving-kindness,  as 
well  as  of  judgment.  I  fear  I  shall  have  tired  you 
with  my  remarks,  and  therefore  beg  you  will  accept 
the  grateful  thanks  of, 

"  Your's  sincerely, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD." 

On  a  particular  occasion,  Mr.  Stanford  preached  a 
sermon  from  the  words — '^  Let  my  beloved  come  into 
his  garden,  and  eat  his  pleasant  frnits.^^  After  he  had, 
in  a  very  interesting  manner,  described  a  beautiful 


88  THE  CORNER-STONE. 

garden,  and  spoken  of  the  variety  and  fragrance  of 
its  shrubs,  flowers,  trees,  and  fruit,  and  then  applied 
the  subject  to  the  state  of  the  Christian  Church;  as 
he  descended  from  the  pulpit,  one  of  the  deacons  said 
to  him — "Well,  Brother  Stanford,  you  have  laid  out 
the  garden  in  due  form,  and  you  have  described  the 
variety  and  excellencies  of  its  productions,  but  where 
is  your  fence  ?"  With  his  usual  promptness  he  re- 
plied— "  O,  I  left  that  for  you  deacons  to  put  up;  and 
see  that  you  keep  it  in  good  order." 

March  15.  This  was  a  day  of  peculiar  trial  to  his 
faith.  The  workmen  were,  during  the  morning,  em- 
ployed in  removing  part  of  the  foundation  *«  which 
had  rested  his  former  place  of  worship,  and  when  tliey 
came  to  the  corner-stone,  which,  with  prayer  to  the 
God  of  Israel,  he  had  once  deposited,  the  tear  of 
submission  trembled  in  his  eye,  as  he  thought  upon 
the  vicissitudes  of  human  life;  but,  so  far  was  he 
from  repining,  that  he  was  heard  to  say,  as  he  cheer- 
fully wiped  away  the  falling  drop — "  Father,  not  my 
will,  hut  thine  he  done.'*'' 

In  the  month  of  June  he  met  the  Baptist  Associa- 
tion, convened  at  Mount-Pleasant,  and  closed  the 
session  with  a  discourse  from  Judges  viii.4 — "  Faints 
yet  jnir  suing.'*'' 

On  the  10th  of  July  he  visited  Warwick,  to  assist 
in  the  ordination  of  3Ir.  Thomas  Stevens.  The 
congregation  assembled  on  the  occasion  was  large ; 
and  unusual  solemnity  is  said  to  have  attended  the 
service.  The  sermon,  which  was  from  Colossians  i. 
7 — '^  A  faithful  minister  of  Christ,^^  was  delivered  by 
Mr.  Stanford,  and  subsequently  printed. 

In  August  he  took  a  journey  through  the  states  of- 
New-Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  chiefly  for  the  benefit 
of  his  health.  When  the  stage  stopped  at  Plainfield, 
the  driver  informed  the  company  that,  a  short  distance 
further  on  the  road,  an  intoxicated  man  had,  on  the 
preceding  night,  murdered  his  two  sons,  his  wife,  and 


CvO>!SEQUEXCE  OF  INTEMPERANCE.  89 

himself.     As  the  stage  had  to  pass  by  the  door,  tlie 
])assengers  insisted  on  stopping  at  the  house,  and  re- 
quested Mr.  Stanford  to  accompany  them.    It  was  one 
of  those  "  neat  httle  cottages"  which  now  and  then 
attracts  the  admiring  gaze  of  the  traveller,  and  seemed, 
from  the  silence  that  prevailed,  to  be  an   abode  of 
blessedness  and  of  peace.     But,  alas!   it  was  the  si- 
lence of  death  that  reigned  within  its  blood  stained 
walls.     On  entering  the  front  room  upon  the  lower 
floor,   they  found   a   table  plentifully  spread  on   the 
})revious  evening  for  the  family  repast.     Here  was 
every    thing   to   secure    contentment    and    domestic 
comfort;  but  the  demon  of  intemperance  had  entered 
the  enclosure.     As  they  ascended  to  the  room  imme- 
diately above,  they  beheld  one  of  those  awful  spec- 
tacles, from  which,  with  instinctive  horror,  the  heart 
unsteeled    by   crime,    involuntarily    recoils.     In    the 
cradle  lay  a  lovely  little  boy,  about  eight  years  old, 
murdered  in  a  shocking  manner ;  and  on  the  floor  at 
a  short  distance  from  him,  and  covered  with  wounds 
and  blood,  lay  his  brother,  about  ten  years  of  age. 
The    hapless   mother  of  these   victims  of  a   brutal 
father's   rage,   was   found   in   the    back    parlour,   to 
which  it  is  probable  she  had  fled  for  safety,  but  was 
there  stabbed  to  the  heart,  by  the  hand  of  him  who 
had  vowed  at  the  altar  to  love  and  protect  her.    Near 
the  gory  bosom  of  the  martyred  woman  was  seen  the 
ghastly  corpse   of  the   sanguinary   monster.     After 
perpetrating  the  diabolical  crime  of  murdering  his 
unoffending  family,  it  is  supposed  that  he  loaded  his 
rifle,  and  receiving  the  muzzle  into  his  mouth,  de- 
liberately discharged  its  contents,  by  which  one  half 
of  his  head  was  entirely  blown  away,  and  the  barrel 
of  the  gun  severed  from  the  stock.     The  apartments 
were  literally  a  human  slaughter-house,  where  death 
reigned  in  undisturbed  dominion.     This  tragic  scene 
closed  the  lips  of  the  beholders  in  silence — astonish- 
ment seemed  to  have  paralyzed  them.     Na  one  wa« 

8* 


90         SUPERIOR  CHURCH  MUSIC,  A  BLESSING. 

able  to  give  utterance  to  the  deep  and  oppressive 
feelings  of  the  heart,  and  the  company  retired,  in- 
creasingly convinced,  that  great  indeed  is  the  depra- 
vity of  man. 

During  this  journey  Mr.  Stanford  visited  many  of 
his  old  friends,  and  preached  at  Soutliamplon,  Lower- 
Dublin,  Burlington,  and  several  other  places. 

At  Bordentown,  a  Mrs»  Day  was  introduced  to  him, 
who  said  that  many  years  ago,  when  slie  was  a  girl  of 
about  fifteen,  she  was  induced  to  attend  his  lectures 
in  New- York,  "  particularly  to  hear  the  singing,"  w^hen 
it  pleased  God  to  convey  the  word  of  salvation  to  hrr 
heart,  and  that  the  Lord  from  that  time  had  enabled 
her  to  walk  in  the  paths  of  righteousness.  This  to 
Mr.  Stanford  was  indeed  a  cause  of  thanksgiving,  and 
an  incitement  to  future  perseverance  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord. 

His  diary  for  the  last  day  in  the  year  closes  with 
the  following  pious  reflections: — "  Oh!  wdiat  great 
reason  have  I  to  be  humble  and  thankful  for  the 
Lord's  dealings  v/ith  me  this  year  !  Many  signal  de- 
hverances  have  1  received,  and  ten  thousand  mercies 
have  surrounded  my  paths.  Let  my  soul  for  ever 
praise  my  God  for  his  unspeakable  goodness  to  me 
and  my  family ;  and  may  1  ever  cherish  an  ardent 
desire  to  be  devoted  to  the  honour  of  his  blessed 
name!  If  1  can  say  nothing  else  on  this  last  day 
of  the  year,  I  can  most  assuredly  declare,  that  I 
can  and  do  resign  myself,  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  into 
the  hand  of  the  blessed  Saviour,  to  be  transformed 
into  his  holy  image,  and  to  serve,  honour,  and  glorify 
him,  until  the  days  of  my  pilgrimage  on  earth  shall 
end;  then  I  hope,  through  grace,  with  him  in  hea- 
ven, to  spend  an  eternity  in  pleasure  and  in  praise!" 
As  the  last  hours  of  the  departed  year  had  been 
employed  in  acknowledging  the  mercies  of  God,  so  he 
began  the  year  1803  u'ith  fervent  prayer,  that  every 
future  dispensation  of  Providence  towards  him  might 


HIS  SERVICES  MULTIPLIED.  91 

be  subservient  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  benefit  of 
his  fellow-creatures.  On  New- Year's  day  he  heard  a 
sermon  on  1  Cor.  vii.  31 — "  The  fashion  of  this  world 
passeth  aicay.''^  Upon  this  he  remarks : — "  O  how  true 
in  regard  to  every  thing  subkinary.  It  has  been  so 
with  me  ;  and  under  this  discourse  I  was  assisted  to 
bring  to  recollection  the  many  variegated  scenes 
through  which  I  had  passed  ;  surely  my  life  has  been 
like  Joseph's  coat  of  divers  colours.  May  Joseph's 
God  be  mine!  Then,  though  the  cup  of  affliction  be 
found  in  my  sack,  it  will  the  better  speed  my  way,  to 
see  his  face  with  joy!" 

During  the  greater  part  of  this  year  his  health 
was  extremely  feeble,  and  his  mind  seems  to  have 
experienced,  alternate  light  and  shade.  Two  new 
services  were  commenced  and  continued  this  year. 
One,  at  the  then  upper  end  of  Greenwich-street,  for 
the  afternoon,  there  being  no  place  of  vv'orship  in  that 
vicinity ;  the  other,  a  lecture  for  the  evening,  in 
Barclpiy-street ;  both  of  which  were  well  attended,  and 
the  Lord  graciously  blessed  his  word  preached  to 
saints  and  to  sinners. 

In  May  he  visited  Brookfield,  as  a  delegate  to  the 
Warwick  Association.  Agreeably  to  previous  ap- 
pointment, he  opened  the  religious  services  of  the 
meeting  with  a  discourse  from  John  xxi.  15 — 17 — 
"  So  when  they  had  dined,  Jesus  saith  to  Shnon  Peter, 
Simcm,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  more  than  these i^ 
He  saith  iinlohim,  Yea,  Lord:  thou  knoivcst  that  Ilov'e 
the€»  He  saith  unto  him.  Feed  my  lambs.  He  saith  to 
him  again  the  second  time,  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest 
thou  me  7  He  saith  unto  him,  Yea,  Lord :  thou  hnawest 
that  I  lo^'e  thee.  He  saith  unto  hijn.  Feed  my  sheep. 
He  saith  unto  him  the  third  time,  Simon,  son  of  Jonas, 
l<mest  thou  me  ?  Peter  was  grieved  because  he  said  unto 
him  the  third  time,  Lovest  thou  7ne7  And  he  said  unto 
him.  Lord,  thou  knowest  all  things;  thou  knowest  that  I 
love  thee.  Jesus  saith  unto  himy  Feed  my  shccp.''^ — Three 


92  THE  LOG-BOOK. 

days  were  employed  in  the  harmonious  transaction  of 
public  business,  and  the  session  closed  under  circum- 
stances calculated  to  convince  all  present,  that  God 
was  in  the  assembly. 

In  the  month  of  August  a  very  destructive  fever 
again  made  its  appearance,  and  the  citizens  fled  to 
the  country  for  safety.  Mr.  Stanford  retired  with  his 
family  to  Mount-Pleasant,  and  there  he  endeavoured 
to  devote  himself  to  the  service  of  God,  by  preaching 
in  tlie  village,  and  in  visiting  Peekskill,  Salem,  Bed- 
ford, and  some  few  towns  on  the  borders  of  Connec- 
ticut, teaching  and  preaching  Jesus  Christ,  wherever 
he  went.  It  was  not  until  the  last  of  October  that 
the  health  of  the  city  would  permit  him  to  return,  and 
even  at  that  late  part  of  the  season,  many,  by  impru- 
dently neglecting  to  ventilate  their  houses,  fell  victims 
to  the  disease. 

As  soon  as  circumstances  would  allow,  he  re- 
opened his  academy,  and  also  resumed  his  evening 
lectures;  but  it  was  not  until  December  that  either  of 
them  were  even  moderately  attended.  This  year  he 
published  another  sermon,  and  also  a  *'  Circular 
Letter,"  addressed  to  the  churches  composing  the 
Association  with  which  he  stood  connected. 

The  pages  of  his  diary  for  1804,  are  not  unlike  the 
mariner's  log-book.  One  part  filled  with  the  account 
of  storms  and  calms,  pirates,  rocks,  and  shoals ;  while 
other  parts  record  the  mercies  of  God  in  granting  pros- 
j)erous  breezes,  and  a  safe  return  to  port.  Through- 
out the  whole,  whether  "  amid  rocks  and  quicksands 
deep,"  driven  onward  by  the  rolling  tide,  or  quiet  in 
"  the  treacherous  calm,"  his  constant  prayer  seems  to 
have  been — 

"  Come  Holy  Ghost!  and  blow, 

A  prosp'rous  gale  of  grace  ; 
Waft  me  from  all  below, 

To  heaven — my  destin'd  place ! 
Then,  in  full  sail,  my  port  I'll  find, 
And  Jeavj  the  wprld  and  sin  behind." 


GOOD  NEWS.  93 

After  having  preached  a  sermon,  under  extreme 
depression  of  mind,  a  minister  who  was  present  said 
to  him — '*  Within  a  few  months  past,  I  was  called 
to  visit  a  sick  woman  who  used  to  attend  your  even- 
ing lectures,  which  the  Lord  blessed  to  the  conversion 
of  her  soul  from  the  error  of  her  ways.  I  saw  her 
the  day  before  her  death ;  she  enjoyed  a  sense  of 
pardon  and  peace  in  Christ,  and  I  have  !»een  subse- 
quently informed  that  she  died  rejoicing  in  the  Lord, 
and  this  ought  to  comfort  and  strengthen  you  in  the 
labour  of  the  gospel."  This  communication,  though 
Mr.  Stanford  had  no  distinct  recollection  of  the  wo- 
man, made  a  serious  impression  upon  his  mind,  and 
proved  an  excitement  to  persevere  even  under  the 
greatest  discouragements,  in  hope  of  further  useful- 
ness in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  On  the  last  of  April, 
Dr.  B*****  returned  from  England,  and  brought 
him  letters  from  several  very  dear  "^.ad  valuable 
friends.  "  This  to  me,"  said  Mr.  Stanford,  "  is  like 
v/hat  Solomon  says — ^As  cold  tvaters  to  a  thirsty  soul, 
so  is  good  news  from  a  far  country.''  Prov.  xxv.  25. 
Such  a  correspondence,  at  so  great  a  cistance,  adds 
beauty  to  the  charms  of  friendship,  and  supports  the 
mind  while  sojourning  in  this  vale  of  tear.s.  But  O 
how  superior  to  this  is  the  good  news  of  the  gospel, 
and  the  application  of  a  promise  from  Jesus,  the 
Prince  of  life,  who  has  passed  into  the  heavens." 

In  the  month  of  August  he  took  a  journey  to  the 
south,  and  preached  in  many  places,  particularly  at 
Lower-Dublin,  Philadelphia,  Salem,  and  Trenton. 
In  Philadelphia  he  was  appointed  to  deliver  a  dis- 
course to  a  meeting  of  ministers.  This  service  he 
performed,  from  Ruth  ii.  4 — "  The  Lord  bless  thee.^^ 
At  Salem  he  preached  in  the  Presbyterian  and  Baptist 
churches,  both  of  which  furnished  full  and  attentive 
auditories,  although  at  the  time  a  very  malignant 
fever  prevailed  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood,  which 
proved  fatal  to  many  of  the  inhabitants.     Refreshed 


04  TYPHUS  FEVER. 

by  these  visits,  he  returned  home  on  the  22(1  of  Sep- 
tember. The  next  day  being  tlie  Sabbath,  he 
jireached  twice,  with  considerable  satisfaction;  but  at 
ten  o'clock  on  Monday  morning  he  was  taken  very  ill ; 
at  twelv  e  he  was  much  worse  ;  and  in  a  short  time  the 
symptoms  became  quite  alarming.  It  proved  to  be  a 
violent  typhus  fever;  the  infection  of  which  it  is  sup- 
posed he  received  on  his  late  visit  to  Salem.  Under 
this  afflictive  dispensation  he  continued  about  two 
weeks,  when  it  })leased  the  Lord  to  rebuke  the  dis- 
ease, and  bring  him  up  again  from  the  gates  of  death. 
During  this  illness,  the  Lord  granted  him  the  peculiar 
consolations  of  the  gospel,  and  he  said  with  reference 
to  this  affliction  :  "  I  do  hope  it  was  the  means  of 
trimming  my  lamp,  that  1  may  be  ready  when  death 
shall  really  appear."  More  than  five  weeks  elapsed 
before  he  was  able  again  to  preach ;  but  by  the  close 
of  the  year,  his  strength  was  so  far  restored,  that 
with  some  degree  of  satisfaction  he  could  once  more 
apply  himself  to  the  discharge  of  his  public  duties. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MR.  srANFonn's  public  duties  increase  in  number  A.vn 

IN    RESPONSiniLITY ALARM     KY    FIRE COMMENCES      HIS 

QRATUITOUS    LABOURS     IN    THE    NEW-YORK     ALMS'HOUSE, 
AND   STATE-PRISON, 

The  following  copious  extract  from  his  journal  will 
explain  the  feelings  of  his  heart,  as  well  as  narrate 
the  events  of  his  life,  during  the  year  1805. 

**  It  has  pleased  God  to  spare  my  life  to  the  com- 
mencement of  another  year,  and  now  I  am  anxious, 
if  it  may  please  the  Lord,  to  grant  me  some  word  of 
promise,  upon  which,  as  a  staff  in  my  hand,  I  may 
commence  and  pursue  my  journey,  should  I  be  per- 
mitted to  live  through  the  present  year.  In  due  time, 
the  last  verse  of  the  23d  Psalm  was  powerfully  im- 
pressed upon  my  mind — ^  Surely  goodness  and  mercy 
shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life:  and  I  will  divell 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever*''  However,  I  was 
induced  to  inquire,  what  right  I  had  to  appropriate  it  ? 
Looking  over  the  Psalm,  and  comparing  it  with  the 
history  of  my  life,  I  had  abundant  reason  to  believe 
that  the  Lord  had  been  '  my  Shepherd  f  he  had  often 
'  restored  my  souP  from  wandering,  and  constantly 
'  prepared  a  table  for  me  in  the  wilderness'  of  my  sor- 
rows ;  I  was  therefore  encouraged  to  hope  that  this 
text  would  be  made  good  to  me  in  the  progress  of  my 
journey,  and  I  have  really  found  it  so." 

The  public  labours  of  Mr.  Stanford  were  unusually 
great,  whether  we  speak  of  their  variety  or  their  ex- 
tent. He  could  not  therefore  be  expected,  like 
Tellifr,  the  Chancellor  of  France,  to  make  very 
great  progress  in  mental  cultivation  during  the  last 
twenty  years  of  his  life,  yet  such  was  his  liabitual  in- 


Do  MEDITATION  IN  THE  FIELDS. 

dustry,  that  even  this  was  not  wholly  neglectedi 
Besides  the  periodical  pubHcations  of  the  day,  with 
most,  if  not  all  of  the  more  elaborate  commentaries, 
and  books  on  practical  divinity,  he  read  the  Histori/ 
of  the  Church  with  great  care.  In  the  history  of  the 
Moravian  missionaries  to  Greenland,  and  the  mis- 
sions of  his  own  and  other  denominations,  to  the 
deluded  heathen,  he  took  a  very  deep  interest.  Upon 
this  point  he  remarks: — "  I  observe  that  the  princi- 
pal, if  not  the  only  subject  on  which  they  preached, 
was  the  love  of  Christ  in  suffering  and  dying  for  guilty 
men;  and  God  blessed  this  simple,  though  important 
subject,  to  the  conversion  of  multitudes,  who  were 
enveloped  in  the  darkness  of  superstition,  and  who 
were  accustomed  to  the  grossest  vices.  I  also  greatly 
admire  the  holy  zeal  of  those  missionaries,  in  en= 
countering  hardships  and  perils  in  the  course  of  their 
journeys,  to  promote  the  glory  of  God  in  Christ,  and 
the  conversion  of  the  most  abject  classes  of  mankind. 
Alas  !  [  feel  constrained  to  blush  before  the  throne 
of  my  God,  and  deplore  the  small  portion  of  zeal 
which  1  possess.  O  that  the  Lord  would  enlighten 
and  strengthen  my  heart  in  the  discliarge  of  every 
duty,  and  make  me  faithful  until  I  die !" 

In  June  he  visited  a  friend  in  Newark,  hoping  to 
derive  an  augmentation  of  bodily  health  and  mental 
vigour,  from  a  change  of  air  and  scenery.  "  Here," 
he  aoys,  "  I  found  it  beneficial  frequently  to  wander 
alone  in  the  fields,  for  the  purpose  of  meditation  and 
devotion.  And  here  I  do  believe  1  received  such 
tokens  of  my  God's  goodness,  and  instructions  in  his 
holy  word,  as  to  animate  me,  in  some  degree,  to 
persevere  in  the  work  of  the  Lord." 

The  pious  Matthew  Henry  used  to  say : — "  It  will 
do  us  good  to  be  often  alone ;  and  if  we  have  the  art 
of  imi)roving  solitude,  we  sliall  find  we  are  never 
less  alone  than  when  alone.  Meditation  and  prayer 
ouH'ht  to  be  both  our  business  and  our  dclicht  when 


nCTillE.MENT,  MEDITATKJN,  AAD  PRAYER.  9T 

\Vc  are  alone  ;  while  we  have  a  God,  a  Christ,  and  a 
lioaven  to  acquaint  ourselves  with,  and  to  secure  an 
interest  in,  we  need  not  want  matter  either  for 
reflection  or  devotion,  which,  if  they  go  together,  will 
mutually  befriend  each  other.  Our  walks  in  the 
fields  are  then  truly  pleasant,  when  in  them  we 
walk  with  God.  There  we  have  a  free  and  open 
prospect  of  the  heavens  above  us,  and  the  earth 
around  us,  and  the  hosts  and  riches  of  both  ;  by  the 
view  of  which  we  shoidd  be  led  to  the  contemplation 
of  the  Maker  and  Owner  of  all."  The  spiritual 
minded  ilaxter,  Brainard,  and  Cowper,  loved,  and 
frequently  sought  the  enjoyments  of  solitude — "  Par- 
ticularly," said  Mr.  Baxter,  "  have  I  found  that 
the  fittest  time  for  myself  is  in  the  evening."  The 
prevailing  opinion  of  the  most  pious  and  learned  in 
every  age  has  been,  that  meditation  more  than  any 
other  human  means,  has  a  tendency  to  invigorate  the 
mental  faculties,  render  the  ordinances  of  religion 
fruitful,  increase  the  comfort,  and  promote  the  holiness 
of  the  Christian.  It  is  therefore  equally  a  subject  of 
surprise  and  lamentation,  that  Christians,  generally, 
are  so  little  inclined  to  avail  themselves  of  this  ines- 
timable privilege.  No  Christian,  whether  he  be  a 
minister,  or  uninvested  with  a  public  ofHce,  can  long 
maintain  a  holy  walk  with  God,  if  he  allows  himself  to 
be  carried  forward  in  the  perpetual  whirl  of  public 
business.  The  soul,  in  order  to  its  healthful  action, 
requires  that  salutary  rest  which  retirement,  medita- 
tion, and  prayer,  are  calculated  to  impart,  no  less 
than  the  physical  energies  demand  the  restoring  in* 
flucnces  of  quietude  and  aliment. 

"  In  secret  silence  of  the  mind, 

My  heav'ri,  and  there  my  God  1  find." 

From  a  memorandum  in  his  diary,  it  appears,  thai 
in  the  woods  on  Long-Island,   Mr.  Stanford  wrote 

9 


D3  SA^'C'^IF1ED  afi  liction* 

with  a  lead  pencil,  a  considerable  part  of  his  "  Aged 
Christian's  Cabinet." 

At  the  particular  request  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
in  Mott-street,*  Mr.  Stanford  officiated  for  them  two 
Lord's  days  in  August,  with  great  satisfact^ion  to  his 
own  mind,  and  very  much  to  the  edification  of  the 
congregation.  But  this  service  was  followed  by  very 
serious  consequences.  On  Monday  afternoon,  about 
three  o'clock,  he  was  attacked  by  a  violent  fever, 
probably  owing  to  his  returning  from  church  on  the 
previous  evening,  while  in  a  state  of  perspiration. 
Under  this  affliction  the  Lord  mercifully  preserved 
his  mind  in  great  tranquillity,  although  the  fever  con- 
tinued about  three  weeks  ;  and  more  than  a  month 
elapsed  before  he  was  enabled  to  resume  his  public 
labours.  He  says: — "  During  this  illness,  I  was  fa- 
voured with  stronger  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the 
Bible,  and  of  the  power  of  God's  grace,  than  I  had 
ever  before  possessed,  and  for  which  I  hope  I  am 
humble  and  thankful."  How  true  is  it,  that  the 
most  useful  lessons  are  acquired  in  the  furnace  of 
affliction.     And— 

"  The  good  are  better  made  by  ill, 
As  odours  crush'd  are  sweeter  still." 

By  the  advice  of  physicians,  though  yet  very  weakj 
he  took  a  journey,  in  comjiany  with  a  ministering 
brother,  by  gentle  stages,  through  New-Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania.  Here  he  spent  several  weeks,  visiting 
and  preaching  from  town  to  town.  During  this  ex- 
cursion, his  health  experienced  many  variations,  and 
his  fever  frequently  returned  with  great  violence. 

While  in  Pennsylvania,  he  enjoyed  the  hospitalities 
of  Thomas  Holmes,  Esq.  at  Holmesburg,  whose  a'mi- 


"•  This  church  occupied  a  building,  erected  upon  the  spot  where  now 
stands  the  large  stone  edifice,  known  as  "  Zion  Church."  The  foruier 
jplace  of  worship  was  burnt  down  in  1311. 


LETTER  TO  THE  SHAFTSBURY  ASSOCIATION.      00 

able  wife  died  during  the  visit  of  Mr.  Stanford  at  their 
house.  At  the  particular  request  of  the  surviving 
family,  he  preached  the  funeral  sermon,  in  the  pulpit 
of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Jones,  D.  D.  from  Luke  viii.  52 
— "  She  is  not  dead,  bat  sleepeth,''''  The  Rev.  Williana 
Rogers,  D.  D.  of  Philadelphia,  closed  the  service  with 
prayer.  During  intervals  of  comparative  ease,  he 
delivered  several  discourses  at  Holmesburg ;  and  at 
New-Britain  he  preached  to  a  large  assembly  of 
ministers,  convened  at  an  annual  Association,  by 
whose  request  he  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Shaftsbury 
Association,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract. 

"  BELOVED  I>r  THE  LORD, 

"  Although  during  this  session  we  have  been  de- 
prived of  the  pleasure  of  hearing  from  you,  either  by 
letter,  or  by  messenger;  our  ardent  desire  for  your 
spiritual  prosperity  prompts  us  to  address  you,  and 
to  forward  to  you  our  minutes.  The  cause  of  our 
assembling  this  season  at  New-Britain,  is  the  afflic- 
tive visitation  of  God  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  with 
pestilence.  Dreadful  calamity  !  May  the  hand  which 
smiteth  ns,  produce  reformation  of  manners  among 
all  classes;  but  especially  in  the  churches  of  that 
hitherto  greatly  favoured  city. 

"  The  communications  we  have  received  from  our 
churches,  and  corresponding  Associations,  have  af- 
forded us  the  highest  pleasure,  and  laid  us  under 
increased  obligations  of  gratitude  to  Jesus,  the  King 
of  Zion.  Probablv  no  other  religious  denomination 
in  America  is,  at  the  present  time,  increasing  with 
such  unexampled  rapidity  as  our  own.  May  the 
mercies  of  the  Lord  inspire  our  brethren  with  greater 
humility,  and  that  fervent  piety  which  shall  best 
evince  our  attachment  to  his  holy  cause. 

"  We  believe  it  to  be  of  the  highest  importance  to 
ourselves  as  individuals,  and  for  the  prosperity  of 
refmon  in  the  world,  that  we  continue  to  seek  after 


100        BAPTISTS,  NOT  ADDICTED  TO  POLITICS. 

the  knowledge  of  the  simple  truth,  as  It  is  in  Jesus ; 
the  truth  revealed  in  tlie  sacred  scriptures,  in  pre- 
ference to  the  opinions  of  men.  Brethren,  let  us  read 
our  Bibles  on  our  knees,  and  in  constant  dependance 
npon  the  influence  and  teaching  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth. 
Thus  through  grace  shall  we  he  able  to  teach  our 
people  to  profit,  and  be  preserved  from  the  contami- 
nating errors  of  the  present  day. 

"  Permit  us,  dear  brethren,  to  suggest,  that  to  us 
as  a  denomination,  it  is  of  great  importance  to  ex- 
amine, with  careful  attention,  the  sentiments  of  those 
who  are  candidates  for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Let 
US  earnestly  beseech  the  l^ord  Jesus  to  direct  us  in 
the  choice  of  those  whom  he  will  graciously  own  in 
the  work  of  the  gospel,  and  make  '  our  crown  and  our 

"  Thehistory  of  the  Baptists  in  every  age  furnishes 
the  strongest  assurances  that  our  forelathers  were 
scrupulous  in  withdrawing,  as  mucli  as  possible,  from 
political  concerns;  well  knowing,  that  our  Suviour's 
kingdom  '  is  not  of  this  loorld.''  We  believe,  that,  as 
citizens,  we  are  entitled  to  the  exercise  of  private 
opinion,  and  all  the  rights  of  citizenship  ;  but  there 
have  been  so  many  instances  in  which  persons  of 
talents  and  grace,  by  plunging  into  the  troubled 
waters  of  political  life,  have  thereby  lost  the  bloom  of 
their  profession,  and  their  usefulness  in  Zion,  that 
we  regard  it  as  our  paramount  duty,  to  let  our  political 
moderation  be  known  unto  all  men,  especially  as  we 
are  engaged  in  the  more  important  interest  of  our 
Redeemer'' s  kingdom. 

*'  By  order,  and  on  belmlf  of  the  Association, 

"JOHN  STANFORD/' 

His  health  being  much  improved,  he  bade  adieu  to 
his  friends  in  Pennsylvania,  and  arriveil  at  home  in 
safety  on  the  last  day  of  October.  "  This  year,"  he 
remarks,  "  ^Goodness  and  mercy  have  indeed  folloiceU 


THE  DOMESTIC  CHAPLAIN.  101 

w^,'  but  it  has  been  comparatively  a  year  of  mental 
darkness  and  of  unfruitfnlness.  Lord,  what  am  I, 
that  thou  shonldest  thus  deliver,  and  show  me  thy 
salvation."  Greatly  depressed  in  mind,  under  a 
sense  of  his  sinfulnet^s,  but  struooljnfy  asrainst  its  in- 
fluence,  his  prayer  was  constant  and  fervent,  that  the 
mercy  of  God  might  sustain  him,  until  his  last  year 
should  flow  into  the  ocean  of  eternity. 

"  There  shall  I  see,  and  hear,  and  know, 
All  I  desired,  or  wish'd  below  ; 
And  every  power  find  sweet  employ, 
In  that  eternal  world  of  joy." 

As  he  ended  the  last  year,  so  he  began  the  year 
1806,  under  dark  and  painful  exercises  of  mind. 
*'  When,"  says  he,  "  shall  I  walk  in  the  light  of  God's 
countenance,  and  feel  that  vivacity  and  zeal  which  are 
so  necessary  to  evince  my  Christian  and  ministerial 
cliaracter.^  Still  I  cannot  but  adore  the  faithfulness 
of  my  gracious  God,  and  look  for  brighter  days  of  use- 
fulness and  comfort.  Like  a  mariner  in  a  dark  and 
tempestuous  night,  1  can  let  go  my  anchor  of  hope, 
though  I  do  not  sensibly  feel  the  ground  on  which  it 
should  rest.  Lord,  sanctify  and  make  use  of  me  in 
private  or  in  public  life,  according  to  thy  sovereign 
will  and  pleasure." 

On  the  21st  of  February,  a  volume  of  lectures,  con- 
taing  about  380  pages,  under  the  title  of  "  The 
Domestic  Chaplain,"  was  sent  to  the  press,  accompa- 
nied with  many  fervent  prayers,  that  God  might 
employ  it  for  the  edification  and  comfort  of  souls, 
and  for  the  glory  of  his  own  grace.  This  work  has 
passed  through  several  large  editions,  in  this  coun- 
try and  in  England,  and  has,  as  its  name  imports, 
preached  the  gospel  to  many  families,  where  the 
usual  means  of  grace  were  not  enjoyed.  *'  The 
Domestic  Chaplain"  has  been  a  useful  guide,  not 
only  in  private  devotion,  and  in  the  social  meeting, 

9* 


102  THE  DOME.STIC  CHAPLAIN. 

but  it  has  served  to  Instruct  the  soul  of  the  Christiar}, 
in  the  closet  and  in  the  parlour;  and  to  produce  a  more 
intimate    acquaintance   with  the    volume   of  Divine 
Revelation,  by  illustrating  its  doctrines,  enforcing  its 
authority,  and  recommending  the  sacred  in?titutious 
of  the  gospel  to  the  attention  and  approbation  of  the 
reader.     These  advantages  are  afforded  by  the  unos- 
tentatious labours  of  "  The  Chaplain,"   in  a  manner 
at  once  calculated  to  interest  and  to  enlighten;  while 
each  short  lecture  sheds  its  hallowed   influence  over 
the  soul,  without  the  pain  of  labour,  or  the  consci- 
ousness  of  design.     A  few  short  extracts   from   the 
author's  preface,  will  explain  more  fully  the  character 
of  this  valuable  book.     "  My  aim  is  to  be  useful  in 
promoting  the  moral  interests  of  families,  by  dissemi- 
nating some  of  the  most  important  truths  of  the  gospel, 
in  an  agreeable  variety,  without  those  perplexing  con- 
troversies too  prevalent  among  professors  of  Christi- 
anity.    I  have  also  in  view,  the  assistance  of  congre- 
gations and  societies  in  the  country,  who  are  frequently 
destitute  of  stated    ministers;    presuming-  that   this 
volume,  in  the  hand  of  a  good  reader,  may  secure  the 
attendance  of  the  people,  and  promote  their  instruc- 
tion."— ■"  Time  is  short — truth  is  divine  and  inestim- 
ably precious.     In  the  construction  of  these  lectures, 
I  solemnly  declare,  that  I  have  not  introduced  a  single 
sentence,  but  what,  from  deliberate  thought,  I  firmly 
believe  bears  the  impress  of  the  gospel,  and  is  calcu- 
lated to  destroy  vice,   promote  the  purest  virtue,  and 
aid  the  real  Christian  in  his  life  and  walk  of  faith." 
We   may  therefore    unhesitatingly   recommend    thia 
work  to  the  attentive   perusal  of  all  who  desire  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Christ. 

Letter  from  Mr.  Stanford,  on  the  recovery  of  his 
friend,  John  Holmes,  Esq.  of  Pennsylvania,  from  a 
protracted  illness. 


LETTER  TO  JOHN  HOLMES,  ESQ.        103 

"  New-York,  March  2d,  1806. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  I  was  glad  to  hear,  by  your  daughter,  that  you 
were  more  comfortable  than  when  I  left  you  in  Octo- 
ber, for  which  I  thank  God  on  your  behalf.  May  the 
health  of  your  body,  and  especially  the  spiritual 
iiappiness  of  your  soul,  increase  still  more  abundantly. 
When  I  read  your  daughter's  letter  concerning  you, 
it  brought  to  my  mind,  the  thanksgiving  of  Ezra, 
(x.  8) — '  God  hath  given  vs  a  little  reviving  in  our 
tiondageJ*  Indeed,  while  in  this  tabernacle  of  clay, 
we  are  often  many  ways  in  bondage  ;  but,  how  kind 
is  onr  Lord,  by  the  iiglil  of  his  countenance,  the  power 
of  his  grace,  and  the  sweets  of  his  love,  to  give  us, 
although  it  be  but  '  a  little'— a  week — a  day — or  an 
hour's  revival.  Bless  the  Lord,  my  brother.  Ffold 
out  a  little  longer,  and  you  and  I  shall  experience  the 
{)angs  of  bondage  no  more!  These  poor  bodies  will 
then  sleep  in  the  grave,  and  our  souls  shall  wing  their 
way 

'  Where  all  are  bless'd, 
For  all  are  free.' 

*'  Divine  Providence  is  one  straight  line,  though  tt) 
us  there  may  appear  many  a  curve.  He  giveth  grace 
and  glor}^  He  who  has  given  you  the  one,  will  most 
assuredly  confer  the  other.  To  his  merciful  care  I 
commend  you,  and  remain, 

"  Yoiir's  in  the  Saviour, 

•'JOHN  STANFORD.*' 

In  April  he  made  a  visit  to  the  state  of  Connecticut, 
and  was  exposed  to  many  dangers  on  the  jjassage  ; 
yet  out  of  them  all  the  Lord  delivered  him.  During 
this  excursion,  he  preached  in  several  towns,  to  very 
<*rowded  assemblies;  and,  it  is  confidently  believed, 
that  his  labours  were  not  in  vain  in  the  liord. 

This  year  he  received  a  unanimous  call  to  take  the 


104   MERCIFUL  LNTERPOSniOX  OF  PROVIDENCE. 

pastoral  charge  of  the  church  in  BnrHngton,  New- 
Jersey ;  and  in  the  month  of  August  he  made  them  a 
visit,  ])reached  eleven  times,  and  administered  ha[)- 
tism  and  the  Lord's  supper.  While  in  this  place  he 
received  visits  from  several  neighbouring  ministers, 
whose  remarks  upon  the  subject  of  his  settlement 
with  this  church,  greatly  assisted  him  in  discerning 
the  path  of  duty.  After  this  he  made  a  short  visit 
to  his  friends  in  Philadelpliia,  Frankfort,  Holmes- 
burg  and  Jjower-Dublin ;  from  whom  he  received 
fresh  tokens  of  brotherly-kindness,  and  to  whom  he 
publicly  communicated  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation 
throuoh  the  blood  of  Jesus.  lie  arrived  at  home  in 
safety  on  the  6th  of  September. 

On  the  2Jst  of  this  month,  another  instance  of  the 
Lord's  peculiar  care  of  Mr.  Stanford  and  his  family 
occurred.  The  family  retired  at  the  usual  time,  but 
Mr.  S.  remained  until  a  late  hour,  employed  in  medi- 
tating upon  the  confidence  of  Jeremiah  in  the  midst 
of  his  afflictions,  at  the  time  when  he  exclaimed — 
"  The  Lord  is  my  portion^  saith  my  soul ;  therefore  icill 
Ihojje  in  hi?n.''^  Lamentations  iii.  24.  While  wrapt  in 
this  heavenly  contemplation,  the  appalling  cry  of 
Fire !  Fire !  broke  upon  the  stillness  of  midnight,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  the  blaze  flashed  from  the  adjoining 
house  upon  the  windows  of  his  chamber.  The  fury 
of  the  encircling  flames,  and  the  confusion  of  the 
multitude  who  soon  rushed  to  the  scene  of  danger — 
the  ringing  of  bells,  the  hoarse  shout  of  the  watchmen, 
and  the  crash  of  falling  timbers,  added  to  the  gloomy 
terrors  of  a  stormy  night,  constituted  this,  in  many 
respects,  memorable  event,  truly  a  scene  of  horror. 
But  through  the  divine  favour,  the  flames  were 
averted  from  his  habitation  by  a  change  of  the  wind, 
and  no  extensive  injury  was  sustained,  although 
several  of  the  surrounding  houses  were  consumed. 
So  true  is  it,  that  those  who  have  the  Lord  for  their 
portion,  may  hope  in  him  under  circumstances  the 


VISIT  T(3  GOVERNOR  DLOOMFIELD.  105 

most  alarming,  and  in  every  scene  of  dan^^er.  For, 
while  as  their  portion,  he  gratifies  and  fills  the  soul, 
he  is  truly  "^  very  present  help  in  time  of  need.''''  O 
that  our  souls  may  attain  the  delightful  assurance  of 
the  prophet;  then  will  it  he  immaterial,  what  trials 
and  losr.es  we  sustain,  while  treading  a^riid  the  thorns 
and  briars  of  the  wilderness,  as  we  pursue  our  journey 
to  the  land  of  rest  and  peace  in  heaven. 

On  the  last  of  November,  circumstances  occurj-ed 
which  enabled  Mr.  Stanford  to  decide  upon  declining 
the  invitation  from  the  church  in  Burlington;  thi« 
course  was  approved  l)y  his  most  judicious  friends. 
Among  other  things  which  led  to  tins  determination, 
was  a  secret  impression  that  he  had  not  yet  performed 
all  the  work  which  the  Lord  intended  him  to  do  in 
New- York.  \\x.  Stanford  was  not  a  man  disposed  to 
yield  to  the  guidance  of  mere  impressions;  yet  in  the 
present  case,  as  in  all  former  invitations  to  leave  tho 
city,  there  v/as  something  which  prevented  his  accept- 
ance, for  which  at  the  time  he  was  utterly  unable  to 
accoimt.  But  the  developements  of  succeeding  years 
have  sufliciently  demonstrated  the  will  of  God,  and 
also  the  wisdom  of  his  servant,  in  remainina:  at  the 
post  where  Divine  Providence  had  stationed  him,  and 
where,  during  the  last  twenty-five  years  of  his  life, 
he  occupied  public  stations  of  no  common  interest 
and  responsibility. 

[n  his  journey  to  Philadelphia,  he  stopped  at  Tren- 
ton, and  spent  a  day  at  the  house  of  his  Excellency 
Joseph  Bloomfield,  Governor  of  New-Jersey.  This 
was  the  anniversary  of  the  defeat  of  the  Hessian 
troops,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Bhal,  who 
was  mortally  wounded  in  the  conflict  with  the  Ameri- 
cans, under  command  of  General  Washington,  in 
December,    177(3.*     The    day  was    celebrated   with 


*  The  following  grapljic  description  of  this  highly  interesting  event  in 
American  history,  is  from  the  pen  of  an  eloquent  writer,  who,  wheQ 
speuking  of  the  father  of  his  country,  remarks; — 


106  A  MEMORABLE  EVENT. 

great    military    pomp,    and    at    the    request    of  the 
Governor  and  his  friends,  Mr.  Stanford  dchvered  an 

'•  In  no  one  instance,  perhaps,  was  his  inflnence  with  the  army  so 
strikingly  exemplified,  as  in  his  attack  on  the  enemy  at  Tienton.  O'er 
and  o'er  have  I  listened  with  intense  anxiety,  in  the  day  of  my  boyhood, 
wliilst  my  now  departed  sire,  who  fought  and  bled  on  that  proud  field, 
recited,  with  thrilhng  interest,  all  that  related  to  the  enlerprise.  It  w;i3 
on  a  December's  night,  (would  he  say)  when  our  little  heart-broken  army 
halted  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware.  That  night  was  dark — cheerless — 
tempestuous — and  bore  a  strong  resemblance  to  our  country's  fortunes  ! 
It  seemed  as  if  heaven  and  earth  had  conspired  for  our  destruction.  The 
clouds  lowered — darkness  and  the  storm  came  on  apace.  The  snow  and 
the  hail  descended,  beating  with  unmitigated  violence  upon  the  supper- 
less,  hall-clad,  shivering  soldier — and  in  liie  roarings  of  the  tiood,  and  the 
wailiugs  of  the  storm,  were  heard,  by  fancies  ear,  the  knel  of  our  hopes, 
and  the  dirge  of  liberty  !  The  impetuous  river  was  filled  with  floating 
ice;  an  attempt  to  cross  it  at  that  time,  and  under  such  circumstances, 
Feemed  a  desperate  enterprise  ;  yet  it  was  undertaken  ;  and  thanks  be  to 
God  and  Waahington,  was  accomplished. 

"  Fi-om  where  we  landed  on  the  Jersey  shore  to  Trenton,  was  about 
nine  miles,  and  on  the  whole  line  of  march  there  was  scarcely  a  word 
uttered,  save  by  the  officers  when  giving  some  order.  We  were  well 
nigh  exhausted,  said  he,  many  of  us  frost-bitten,  and  the  majority  of  us 
so  badly  shod  that  the  blood  gashed  from  our  frozen  and  lacerated  feet; 
yet  we  u]>braided  not,  conijiiained  not,  but  marched  steadily  and  firndy, 
tiiough  mournfully  onward,  resolved  to  persevere  to  the  uttermost — not 
for  our  country — our  country  alas!  we  had  given  up  for  lost.  Not  for 
ourselves — life  for  us  no  longer  wore  a  charm — but  because  such  was  the 
will  ol'our  beloved  chief — 'twas  for  Wasliington  alone  we  were  willing  to 
make  the  sacrifice.  When  we  arrived  within  sight  of  the  enemy's  en- 
Cfimpments,  we  vs'ere  ordered  to  form  a  line,  when  Washington  reviewed 
U.S.  Fale  and  emaciated,  dispirited  and  exhausted,  we  presented  a  most 
unvvarlike  and  melancholy  aspect.  The  paternal  eye  of  our  chief  was 
quick  to  discover  the  extent  of  onr  sufterings,  and  acknowledged  them 
with  his  tears:  bat  suddenly  checking  his  emotions,  he  reminded  us  that 
or.r  country,  and  all  that  we  held  dear,  was  staked  upon  t!ie  con)i»g 
battle.  As  he  spoke  we  began  to  gather  ourselves  up,  and  rally  our  ener- 
gies— every  man  grasped  his  arms  more  firmly — and  the  clenched  hand, 
and  the  compressed  lip,  and  the  steadfast  look,  and  the  knit  brow,  told  the 
soul's  resolve.  Washington  observed  us  well;  then  did  he  exhort  us  with 
all  the  fervor  of  his  soul,  '  On  yonder  field  to  conquer,  or  die  the  death  of 
the  brave.'  At  that  instant  the  glorious  sun,  as  if  in  prophetic  token  of 
oar  success  burst  forth  in  all  his  splendour,  bathing  in  liquid  light  the  blue 
hills  of  Jersey.  The  faces  which  but  a  few  minutes  before  were  blanche<l 
with  despair,  glowed  with  martial  fire  and  animation.  Our  chief,  with 
exultation,  hailed  the  scene;  then  casting  his  doubts  to  the  w'ind,  and  call- 
ing on  the  '  God  of  battles'  and  his  faithful  soldiers,  led  on  to  the  charge. 
The  conflict  was  fierce  and  bloody.  For  more  than  twenty  minutes,  not 
a  gun  was  fired — the  sabre  and  bayonet  did  the  work  of  destruction,  'twas 
a  hurricane  of  fire,  and  steel,  and  death.  There  did  we  stand  (woidd  he 
pay)  there  did  we  stand,  '  foot  to  foot,  and  hilt  to  hilt,'  with  the  serried 
i'oe  !  and  where  we  stood  we  died  or  conquered." 


NEW  YEARNS  SERMON.  107 

address  to  the  assembled  multitude,  adopting,  as  his 
motto,  the  text  in  Acts  xxii.  28 — '■^  I  was  free-born.^'' 
The  substance  of  this  address,  with  an  account  of 
the  ceh^bration,  were  pubhshed  in  the  Trenton  news- 
papers. 

The  following  Lord's  day  was  spent  in  Philadel[)hia, 
where  he  preached  in  three  different  churches.  The 
last  day  in  the  year  was  passed  at  Lower-Dublin,  in 
the  society  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jones,  and  a  few  other 
old  friends,  in  praising  God  for  his  goodness  to  them 
during  the  past  year,  and  for  his  cheering  promise, 
that  he  will  never  leave  nor  forsake  them  that  put 
their  trust  in  him. 

The  first  day  of  the  year  1807,  found  Mr.  Stanford 
still  in  Pennsylvania.  In  the  niorning  he  preached 
ia  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jones'  church,  to  a  very  large  con- 
gregation, from  Acts  xxvi.  22 — ''  Having  therefore 
obtained  help  of  God,  I  continue  unto  this  dayJ^''  Upon 
this  text  he  remarks  :  *'  With  grateful  emotions  would 
I  confess  before  men,  the  debt  of  love  I  owe  to  my 
good  and  gracious  God,  who  has  had  patience  with 
my  sinful  heart  and  barren  life  so  many  years.  O 
that  by  the  same  help,  I  may  yet  persevere,  until  the 
days  of  my  pilgrimage  on  earth  shall  end  !"  In  the 
evening  he  preached  at  Ilolmesburg,  to  a  large  assem- 
bly, on  which  occasion  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  grant 
him  special  comfort  in  contemplating  the  words  of 
David  in  Psalm  xlviii.  14 — ^'■For  this  God  is  our  God 
for  ever  and  ever:  he  icill  beovr  guide  even  untodeatliy 
"  This,"  said  he,  "  comprehends  all  1  want.  May 
the  Lord  enable  me  more  abundantly  to  claim  this 
relation,  and  may  I  trust  him  as  my  faithful  and  un- 
erring guide,  through  all  the  duties,  trials,  and  changes 
of  my  future  life." 

A  short  time  after  his  return  to  New- York,  he 
addressed  the  following  letter  to  his  Excellency, 
Governor  Bloomfield,  of  New-Jersey  :-^ 


108  Ll/ITEU  TO  GOVi:iL\OIl  BLOOMFILLD» 

"  MY  DEAR  Slii, 

*'  It  gave  me  pleasure  to  hear,  by  Mr.  Cules,  that 
yourselt'  and  family  uere  in  good  health.  He  ex- 
pressed your  wish,  that  1  should  transmit  to  you  a  copy 
of  what  is  called  '  The  Usurpation  of  Buonaparte.' 
You  will  find  it  enclosed.  Jjy  tiiis  favourable  con- 
veyance, 1  return  you  '  Solomon's  Common  Places.' 
On  my  first  entering  on  the  examination  of  the  manu- 
script, I  found  some  difliculty  from  the  obsolete  lan- 
guage emp'loyed,  when  compared  with  our  present 
translation;  but  recollecting  that  the  author  might 
liave  used  Beza's  copy,  and  having  that  in  my  study, 
it  gave  me  considerable  assistance.  I  have  examined 
all  the  texts,  and  find  them  generally  correct ;  and 
where  I  thought  it  was  necessary,  I  have  made  cor- 
rections with  a  black  lead  pencil.  These  are  submit- 
ted to  your  judgment,  and  which,  at  pleasure,  if 
necessary,  you  can  easily  erase.  If  in  this  trifling 
service  I  have  answered  your  wishes,  I  shall  be  amply 
compensated.  Although  Mr.  Coles  will  tell  you  a 
little  about  me,  I  shall  take  another  dip  of  ink  to 
say,  tliat  I  go  on  in  the  old  way.  Last  month,  con- 
taining thirty  days,  1  preached  twenty-eight  sermons. 
This,  you  will  say,  is  enough  for  any  man  ;  but  you 
must  know,  good  Sir,  1  am  what  some  people  call  a 
'  general  lover;'  by  vvhich  you  will  understand,  that 
although  I  maintain  with  firmness  the  professions  of 
what  1  believe  to  be  the  will  of  my  God,  in  his  gos- 
pel, yet  I  devote  my  public  labours  to  all  religious 
denominations  without  distinction.  Indeed,  I  am  the 
only  minister  in  the  city  that  can  be  called  so  far  truly 
'  republican.'  To  me  it  is  a  source  of  peculiar  hap- 
])iness,  that  I  receive  the  attention  of  Baptists,  Inde- 
pendents, Lutherans,  Moravians,  and  others.  I  know 
you  will  not  be  angry  with  me  for  this  liberality. 
Semper  eadem,  (always  the  same)  is  my  motto,  preach 
w  here  I  may  ;  indeed  it  is  all  of  a  price  ;  for  although 
I  have  preached  about  three  hundred  sermons  during 


LETTER  TO  GOVERNOR  BLOOMFIELD.     109 

this  year,  yet  1  hav^e  not  received  pecuniary  compen- 
sation sufficient  to  purchase  a  pinch  of  snufF! 

*'  The  winter  progresses,  and  1  shall  not  be  able 
to  venture  out  much  in  the  evening.  Having  dis- 
missed your  manuscript,  and  some  other  things  of 
a  similar  nature,  I  must  now,  Deo  volente,  contrive 
something  to  employ  my  pen  during  the  long  evenings. 
1  have  thought  of  taking  up  some  old  lectures  on 
theology,  which  I  formerly  delivered  in  Rhode-Island, 
and  subsequently,  to  young  gentlemen  who  have 
studied  with  me  for  the  ministry,  so  as  to  make  some- 
thing like  an  easy  text  book  for  students  in  that 
department,  and  to  be  useful  to  young  men  who  have 
not  had  the  benefit  of  a  classical  education. 

'*  It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  say  any  thing  to  your 
Excellency  on  the  gloomy  appearances  of  public 
affairs  in  our  beloved  America.  I  am  no  dabbler  in 
politics.  It  better  becomes  me  to  teach  men  the  way 
of  salvation,  and  pray  for  universalliberty  and  peace. 

"  My  dear  friend,  you  and  I  may  never  live  to  see 
it,  yet  I  am  confident  that  every  one  of  the  human 
family  will  eventually  say,  '  I  am  free  horn.'' 

'*  Do  me  the  favour  of  presenting  my  aflfectionate 
regards  to  Mrs.  Bloomfield,  Miss  M'llvaine,  and  your 
nephew,  Mr.  Potter.  Although  I  may  not  drink  a 
glass  of  wine  with  you  next  New- Year's  day,  my 
prayer  is,  that  you  may  *  spend  your  days  in  pros- 
perity, and  close  your  years  in  peace.' 

"  I  am, 

"  Your's  most  sincerely, 

"JOHN  STANFORD. 

*«  New-York,  December  2d,  1807." 

The  following  is  Governor  Bloomfield's  reply. 

"  Trenton,  December  20th,  1807. 

*'  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Your  favour  of  the  2d  of  this  month,  with  your 

10 


110    LETTER  FROM  GOVERNOR  BLOOMFIELD. 

good  little  pamphlet,  (nmltuiii  in  parvo)  *  Solomon's 
Common  Places,'  and  '  The  Usurpation  of  Buona- 
parte,' in  one  envelope,  were  received  of  Mr.  Coles 
yesterday. 

"Alderman  M'Reeley,  last  week  procured  for  Mrs. 
Bloomfield,  a  copy  of  your  excellent  tract,  which  a 
good  lady  of  her  acquaintance  requested  as  a  present 
for  a  particular  person,  and  she  has  been  gratified 
with  another  copy  by  Mr.  Coles.  Parson  P.  Wilson 
called  to  see  me  yesterday,  just  after  tlie  reception  of 
your  packet.  1  took  the  liberty  to  mention  the  indus- 
try of  a  brother  clergyman,  who  had  preached  one- 
third  of  a  century;  upon  which  Mr.  Wilson  said,  that 
Mr.  Stanford's  publications  had  done  much  good,  and 
that  he  was  a  very  useful  man  ;  in  which  Mrs.  Bloom- 
field  and  myself  very  readily  accorded. 

"  Solomon's  Proverbs  and  Ecclesiastes,  contain 
stores  of  wisdom,  applicable  to  every  situation  of  life  ; 
his  maxims,  digested  and  arranged  by  good  Bishop 
Hall,  if  properly  printed,  might  arrest  the  attention 
of  persons  who  would  not  otherwise  read  the  sacred 
books. 

*'  'Usurpation  of  Buonaparte,'  1  requested  3Ir. 
Coles  to  purchase  for  me,  and  never  intimated  to  him 
that  you  should  have  the  trouble  of  procuring  it ;  my 
message  by  him  to  you  was,  that  '  Mr.  Stanford  will 
please  to  take  his  own  time  in  the  correction  of  Solo- 
mon's Common  Places.'  I  am,  however,  not  the  less 
obliged  by  your  and  your  son's  attention  ;  and  I  am 
determined  to  seize  the  first  opportunity  of  convincing 
you  that  I  have  not  forgotten  your  »iany  favours.  I 
hope  to  visit  you  when  I  pass  through  New- York, 
probably  in  July. 

"  Assure  yourself,  that  I  cannot  add  to  the  respect 
and  esteem  with  which  I  am, 
"  Very  truly, 

"  Your  friend,  and  most  obedient  servant, 

'JOSEPH  BLOOMFIELD/' 


NEW-YORK  ALMS-HOHSE.  Ill 

This,  to  Mr.  Stanford,  proved  to  be  a  year  of  unusual 
activity  and  interest.  The  Bethel  church  in  Broome- 
street,  which  had  for  several  years  been  in  a  declining 
condition,  invited  him  to  preach  for  them  as  fre- 
quently as  his  other  engagements  would  permit;  and 
it  is  believed  that  his  labours  in  this  congregation 
were  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

March  2d,  he  was  invited  to  preach  in  tlie  Alms- 
House,  where,  for  the  first  time,  he  was  called  to  ad- 
dress an  assembly  composed  of  the  sick,  the  lame,  the 
blind,  and  miserable,  of  both  sexes  and  of  all  ages. 
His  text  on  this  occasion  was  Philiipians  iv.  11 — '•  / 
have  learned  in  tvhatsoever  state  1  am,  therewith  to  he 
content.^''  Interesting  as  this  scene  must  have  been, 
yet,  could  he  have  removed  the  vale  which  conceals 
the  events  of  futurity,  and  anticipated  the  extensive 
and  protracted  services  which  God  had  appointed  for 
him  among  these  poor  and  afflicted  creatures,  he 
would  probably  have  shrunk  from  the  task.  But  it  is 
a  part  of  the  merciful  arrangements  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, that  "  The  morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the 
things  of  itself.  Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil 
thereof y 

"  God  gives  to  every  good  man 
The  virtue,  temper,  understanding,  taste, 
That  Ufts  him  into  hfe,  and  lets  him  fall 
Just  in  the  very  niche  he  was  ordain'd  to  fill." 

Several  years  intervened  before  Mr.  Stanford  was 
called  to  be  the  stated  preacher  of  the  gospel  in  the 
New- York  Aims-House,  although  he  did  not  fail  oc- 
casionally to  visit,  and  proclaim  the  message  of  mercy 
to  the  poor.  From  the  year  1807,  until  1811,  w^e  are 
not  informed  that  public  worship  was  regularly  main- 
tained in  this  institution;  but  in  the  early  part  of  that 
year,  a  licentiate  of  one  of  the  Baptist  churches  in 
this  city,  received  an  invitation  from  Alderman  Fur- 
man,  to  preach  on  Wednesday,  Friday,  and  Sabbath 


112  lllrf  FIELD  OF  LABOUR. 

evenings.  A  morning  service  was  shortly  afterwards 
commenced.  These  services  were  gratuitously  con- 
tinued for  nearly  two  years.  During  this  season,  the 
Rev.  E.  S.  Ely  commenced  his  labours  in  the  same 
place;  and  in  the  month  of  January,  1813,  the  Rev. 
John  Stanford,  and  the  Rev.  E.  S.  Ely,  were  em- 
ployed by  the  society  established  for  preaching  the 
Gospel  to  the  poor  in  the  City-Hospital  and  Aliiis- 
Housc.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Ely  continued  his  services 
until  June  1813,  when  Mr.  Stanford  received  the 
exclusive  appointment  as  chaplain  of  these  institutions. 
His  labours  were  subsequently  CAtonded  to  the  Sttitc- 
Prison,  Bridewell,  Magdalen-House,  Orphan-Asylum, 
Debtor's  Prison,  Penitentiary,  Lunatic-Asylum,  Black- 
well's  Island,  Marine-Hospital,  and  City-Hosj)ital, 
where  he  continued  nearly  twenty  years  to  labour 
with  ardent  and  devoted  attention.  It  is  gratifying 
to  be  able  to  say,  that  his  ministry  v»'as  blessed  to  the 
conversion  of  many  souls;  nor  were  these  instances 
confined  to  the  sick  and  the  dying ;  but  many,  in  all 
the  vigour  of  manhood,  and  pursuing  a  course  of  tiie 
most  blasphemous  daring ;  have  been  brought  in  tears 
to  the  feet  of  Christ,  and  have,  after  their  emancipa- 
tion from  bondage,  recorded  it  to  the  honour  of  divine 
grace,  that  they  were  set  free  from  the  power  of  dark- 
ness; even  while  bound  in  chains,  they  listened  to  the 
gospel  which  he  preached  to  them  v,  ithin  the  gloomy 
walls  of  a  prison.  Yes,  the  hardened  culprit  has  been 
seen  to  shed  the  penitential  tear,  and  the  strong  men 
have  been  constrained  to  bow  the  knee  to  Jesus, 
while,  with  trembling,  they  have  cried  out,  "  TJIiat 
shall  loe  do  to  be  saveclT''  The  young  and  the  old,  the 
sick,  and  those  in  health,  have  been  blessed  through 
his  instrumentality.  And  while  the  living  have  thus 
become  better  prepared  to  serve  God,  and  to  enjoy 
his  mercies,  the  dying  have  caught  the  encouraging 
words  of  the  gospel  as  they  fell  from  his  lijjs,  and 
mingled  their  praises  with  the  redeemed  before  the 


■  '•'^'C^J 


-«,s.V' 


aiJ^^t^ilitl 


ALMS  HOUSE  at  BFLLK   \r\JFj 


a  H  EUTToT<X)  ,i  X  .TK.   tJ  .Y 


OBSTACLES  DID  NOT  IMPEDE  HIM.     113 

throne,  as  a  testimony  of  their  faith  in  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb. 

It  is  no  less  true  of  John  Stanford,  than  of  John 
Howard,  that   as   the  friend   and  the  pastor  of  the 
wretched  prisoner,  the  orphan,  and  the  miserable  of 
every  class,  "  he  trod  an  open  but  unfrequented  path 
to  immortality,"  in  the  ardent  and  unremitted  exercise 
of  Christian  charity;  and  it  is  devoutly  to  be  wished, 
that  this  tribute  to  his  memory  may  excite  others  to 
emulate  his  truly  benevolent  conduct.     He  officiated 
not   in  the  splendid  temples,   where  the   charms   of 
music,   and  the  cushioned   accommodation,   invite  a 
gay  and  happy   multitude;  no,  his  duties  led  him  to 
the  dark  cell  of  the  criminal — -his  feet  trod  the  floors 
where  loathsome  disease,  and  srpialid  poverty,  and 
death  prevailed;    and   where,    but   for    his   untiring 
fidelity,  it  is  believed  that  many  hundreds  would  have 
perished  without  the  knowledge  of  Christ.     No  seve- 
rity of  climate,  no  previous  fatigues,  no  bodily  pain, 
could  prevent  him,  if  it  was  possible,  from  responding 
to  the  calls  of  the  distressed.     We  have  seen  him, 
under  all  the  infirmities  of  seventy-eight  years,   and 
while  enduring  great  bodily  pain ;   in  the  most  op- 
pressive days  of  July  and  August,  slowly  directing  his 
course  to  the  Hospital,  the  Aims-House,  or  the  City- 
Jail,  there  to  administer  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  those 
whose    temporal  woes  he  coidd  not  alleviate.     He 
seemed  to  have  adopted  as  a  motto  the  well-known 
maxim — "  Hand    ignara   mali,    miseris   succurrere 
disco." 

The  writer  has  frequently  accompanied  the  vener- 
able man  on  errands  of  mercy  to  the  poor,  and  from 
his  mind,  those  interesting  scenes  will  never  be  effac- 
ed. O  with  what  eager  attention  did  the  children  of 
sorrow  listen  to  his  voice,  while  with  tears  of  gratitude 
they  have  been  seen  crowding  around  him  at  the 
close  of  the  service,  and,  like  a  family  of  affectionate 
children,  entreating  him  soon  to  return !     Yes,  w^ 

10* 


114        GRATITUDE  OF  HIS  HEARERS. 

have  gone  with  him  to  the  hospital,  and  witnessed 
the  effects  of  the  words  of  peace  which  he  uttered  in 
the  audience  of  those  who,  but  for  him,  would  pro- 
bably never  have  heard  the  message  of  salvation. 
We  have  been  with  him  in  the  lonely  cell  of  the 
condemned  malefactor,  and  seen  the  man  of  crime 
and  of  blood  relent  under  his  preaching,  and  thank 
the  God  of  mercy  who  sent  him  thither.* 

The  amomit  of  service  performed  by  Mr.  Stanford, 
as  chaplain  of  the  above  named  Institutions,  is  be- 
lieved to  be  without  a  parallel  in  modern  tiuics.  This 
fact  would  appear  quite  evident,  if  the  reader  could 
peruse  the  iJiiiny  folio  volumes  Vv  hich  he  has  filled  with 
the  diurnal  account  of  his  labours.  The  nature  of 
this  work  will  only  allow  us  to  intersperse  a  few  brief 

*  While  writing  the  memoir  of  a  Baptist  minister,  it  is  gratifying  to 
quote  the  opinion  of  the  British  Cicero,  respecting  a  kiyman  of  the  same 
denomination,  and  whose  Yiiq  was  devoted  to  the  same  cause — we  mean 
the  immortal  Jolm  Howard.  This  wonderful  man  was  born  in  the  year 
172G,  at  Enfield,  in  England.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  congre- 
gation in  Little  Wild-street,  London,  then  under  the  care  of  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Stermet,  D.  D.  To  mitigate  the  sufferings  of  the  distressed  in 
every  clime,  he  travelled  through  England,  France,  Germany,  Holland, 
Italy,  Russia,  Spain,  Portugal,  Sweden,  Denmark,  and  Turkey.  He 
died  of  a  pestilentiiil  fever,  at  Churson,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1730,  in 
the  sixty-fourth  year  of  iiis  age. 

"  I  cannot,"  says  Edmund  Burke,  "  name  this  gentleman  (Howard) 
without  remarking,  that  his  labours  and  writings  have  done  much  to  open 
t  he  eyes  and  hearts  of  mankind.  He  has  visited  all  Europe — not  to  survey 
the  sumptuoasness  of  palaces,  or  the  stateliness  of  temples  ;  not  to  make 
accurate  measurements  of  the  remains  of  ancient  grandeur,  nor  to  form  a 
scale  of  the  curiosity  of  modern  art ;  not  to  collect  medals,  or  collate 
manuscripts ; — but  to  dive  into  the  depths  of  dungeons  ;  to  plunge  into 
the  infection  of  hospitals  ;  to  survey  the  mansions  of  sorrow  and  pain;  to 
take  the  guage  and  dimensions  of  misery,  depression,  and  contempt ;  to 
remember  the  forgotten,  to  attend  to  the  ne  ilected,  to  ^'isit  the  forsaken, 
and  to  compare  and  collate  the  distresses  of  all  men  in  all  countries.  His 
plan  is  original,  and  it  is  as  full  of  genius  as  it  is  of  humanity  It  was  a 
voyage  of  discovery,  a  circumnavigation  of  charity.  Already  the  benefit 
of  his  labour  is  felt  more  or  less  in  every  country,  and  I  hope  he  will 
anticipate  his  final  reward  by  seeing  all  its  etiects  fully  realized  in  his 
own.  He  will  receive,  not  by  retail,  but  in  gross,  the  revvaj d  of  those 
who  visit  the  prisoner,  and  he  has  so  forestalled  and  monopolized  this 
branch  of  charity,  that  there  vviil  be,  I  trust,  little. room  to  n.erit  by  such 
acts  of  benevolence  hereafter." — Svccch  at  Bristol,  previous  to  the  dcciion 
in  1780. 


A  week's  work.  115 

extracts,  by  which  the  public  may  form  some  estimate 
of  the  loss  which  they  have  sustained  in  his  death. 
The  following  is  a  summary  of  a  single  week's  work, 
of  this  eminent  and  faithful  minister  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  which  is  inserted  in  this  place  without  reference 
to  dates. 

"  Tuesday — A  discourse,  &.c.  in  tlie  Lunatic-Asy- 
lum ;  two  others  in  the  upper  ward  of  the  City-Hos- 
pital; after  which  a.11  the  wards  are  visited. 

'•  Wednesdajj — Visit  the  Orphan-Asylum,  examine 
some  of  the  children,  and  give  them  a  discourse,  &c. ; 
go  to  the  State-Prison,  preach  twice,  visit  the  sick, 
and  afterwards  hear  the  young  prisoners  recite  their 
catechism. 

"  Thiirsday — Debtor's-Prisoii  and  Bridewell — a 
discourse  in  each ;  but  in  the  former  place  I  fre- 
quently meet  with  interruption. 

"  Fridaij — Bellevue  ;  visit  the  two  Hospitals  in  the 
morning,  and  usually  give  a  sermon  in  each  ;  attend 
as  many  wards  as  possible  in  the  front  building: 
afternoon,  preach  in  the  Penitentiary,  and  examine 
the  school ;  directly  after,  give  a  discourse  to  the 
maniacs ;  finish  by  examining  the  two  Poor-house 
schools. 

"  Lord's  day — At  half-past  eight,  public  service  and 
a  sermon  in  tiie  City-Hospital. 

"  After  this  I  go  to  Belie vuc,  preach  in  the  chapel 
in  the  morning  ;  directly  after,  preach  to  the  state 
prisoners  in  the  Penitentiary  :  afternoon,  preach  again 
in  the  chapel,  and  twice  in  the  monrii  examine  the 
chiidien  in  their  catecliism,  in  presence  of  the  con- 
gregation ;  which  has  a  good  effect. 

"  When  at  the  State-Prison,  preach  twice,  and  visit 
the  prison  hospital. 

"  All  these  places  are  visited  oftener  when  required 
t)V  the  sick.     This  is  the  usual  course  of  the  week. 

"  Average  ofiveeldy  discourses. — -State-Prison  three ; 
Alms-House  five  ;  City-Hospital  three;  Orphan-Asy- 


116   ABOUNDING  IN  THE  WORK  OF  THE  LORD. 

lumone;  Debtor's-Prison  one  ;  Bridewell  one  ;  Pen- 
itentiary two  ;  Lr.natic-Asyliun  one  ;  Maniac-Hospital 
one.     Total  ei«^hteen. 

During  the  past  year  Mr.  Stanford  delivered  five 
hundred  and  forty-seven  sermons,  and  during  the 
present  year,  down  to  the  28th  of  November,  he  has 
exceeded  that  number. 

Although  the  above  statement  very  far  exceeds  the 
labours  of  ministers  in  general,  yet  even  this  was 
frequently  transcended  by  this  indefatigable  man. 
That  the  above  was  not  selected  as  a  rare  and  un- 
common instance  of  his  laborious  zeal  for  the  salva- 
tion of  men,  will  be  made  to  appear  in  the  subsequent 
pages.  His  pulpit  labours  were  very  abundant,  be- 
sides the  ever  va,rying  scene  of  toil  to  which  he  was 
called,  in  catechetical  classes,  funerals,  parochial 
visitations,  &c.  &c. 

During  the  month  of  August,  Mr.  Stanford  again 
visited  Mount-Pleasant,  and  the  places  adjacent,  fre- 
quently preaching  to  large  and  attentive  congrega- 
tions. 

On  the  20th,  he  assisted  in  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Frederick  Smith,  in  the  church  at  Stamford,  in  Con- 
necticut, and  preached  the  sermon,  from  Jeremiah  iii. 
15,  and  made  the  ordaining  prayer.  After  preaching 
the  gospel  in  several  other  places  in  the  state,  he 
returned  home,  and  entered  again,  with  renewed 
vigour,  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  the  servant 
of  Christ.  About  the  same  time  Mr.  Stanford  was 
solicited  by  the  Welsh  church  in  Siott-street,  to  de- 
liver a  lecture  on  the  evening  of  the  first  Sabbath  in 
every  month,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  understood 
the  English  language.  This  service  he  performed 
gratuitously,  and  without  interruption,  for  more  than 
two  years.  That  the  uneducated  Welsh  who  attended, 
might  not  be  entirely  deprived  of  the  benefit  of  th« 
lecture,  the  following  order  was  adopted.  The  ser- 
vices were  introduced  by  a  hymn,  and  prayer  io^Eng- 


HIS  LABOURS  IN  THE  STATP:-PRISC)N.  117 

lish ;  then  followed  a  hymn  in  Welsh;  after  the  text 
was  announced,  the  pastor  of  the  church  repeated  it 
in  V/elsh  ;  and  when  the  lecture  was  closed,  tiie  pas- 
tor prayed  in  Welsh,  and  the  services  were  concluded 
by  singing  an  antlieni  in  the  same  language. 

In  the  month  of  October  he  received  a  special  in- 
vitation to  preach  in  the  chapel  of  the  State-Prison. 
His  sermon  on  this  occasion  was  from  [saiah  xlviii. 
10 — ''^  I  have  chosen  thee  in  tlie  faniacc  of  affiiciioiiJ'^ 
Soon  after  this,  Nicholas  Rcome,  Esq.  the  head  keeper 
of  the  prison,  solicited  him  statedly  to  devote  a  portion 
of  liis  services  to  the  benefit  of  that  institution,  espe- 
cially on  the  first  Lord's  day  in  every  month.  Tliis 
was  the  commencement  of  his  useful  and  long  con- 
tinued labours  within  the  Vialls  of  the  Kew-York 
State-Prison,  Vtdiere,  for  more  than  twenty  years,  he 
had  the  immediate  charge  of  the  spiritual  concerns  of 
its  inmates. 

A  few  months  after  Mr.  Stanford  commenced  his 
stated  labours  in  this  abode  of  human  wo,  the  foilow- 
\i\£f  affecting  case  of  conversion  occurred. 

"  The  case  cf  J—  11—,  aged  20. 
"  I  found  this  young  man  very  low,  and  ftist  hast- 
ening to  the  grave;  of  which  he  himself  appeared  to 
be  sensible.  On  asking  him  the  state  of  his  mind,  he 
replied,  '  O,  Sir,  I  am  at  a  very  great  distance  from 
God;  nor  have  I  any  expectation  of  being  brought 
nigh  unto  him.  I  have  indeed  been  praying,  but  after 
all,  I  do  not  think  that  I  know  the  right  end  of  prayer 
from  the  beginning.  If  I  could  only  say,  Christ  died 
for  me,  that  is  all  1  wish — I  should  then  be  willing  to 
quit  this  sinful  world.  My  parents,  who  live  in  Ver- 
mont, gave  me  a  good  education ;  but  I  now  want  some 
better  knowledge,  to  lead  me  to  God.  I  have  just 
been  talking  to  my  companions  on  these  subjects,  yet 
nothing  seems  to  relieve  my  case.'  I  then  took  some 
pains  to  instruct  and  to  comfort  him,  by  showing  from 


118  CONVERSION  OF  J.  R. 

the  scriptures,  that  distant  sinners  may  he  '  made 
7n'gh  hy  the  blood  of  Christ,^  and  that  it  was  the  oflice 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  give  him  precious  faitli  in  the 
promises  of  the  gospel,  and  to  lead  him  to  Jesu-s 
Christ  as  a  Saviour.  During  this  conversation  he 
looked  upon  me  with  great  earnestness,  while  tears 
stood  trembling  in  his  eyes.  I  was  about  to  leave 
him,  when  he  earnestly  requested  me  to  remember 
liim  in  my  prayers.  With  this  request  1  immediately 
compHed,  and  prayer  was  offered  at  the  side  of  his 
bed.  I  hope  I  shall  have  occasion  to  rejoice  for  ever 
in  the  Lord,  concerning  this  poor  young  man. 

''  July  29th.  Impressed  with  a  concern  for  his  soul, 
1  hired  a  carriage  on  purpose  to  visit  him.  He  was 
much  worse,  and  could  speak  but  httie.  '  My  mind, 
said  he,  '  is  much  relieved,  and  I  am  looking  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  for  the  manifestation  of  iiis  mercy.'  I 
handed  him  a  tract,  which  I  printed  some  time  ago, 
on  '  The  Way  of  Salvation,'  and  requested  one  of  his 
fellow  prisoners  to  read  it  to  him. 

''August  1st.  Lord's  day.  After  sermon  this  morn- 
ing in  the  chapel,  I  again  visited  this  sick  young  man. 
With  a  peculiarly  cheerful  smile,  he  assured  me  that 
his  mind  was  much  more  established  by  reading  the 
tract  ;  than  which  he  said  nothing  could  better  have 
suited  his  case,  and  that  he  could  now  pray  in  faith, 
and  hoped  God  would  give  him  assurance  of  salva- 
tion. 

*'  Friday,  Gth.     About  midnight  J R died, 

"  The  following  is  the  account  of  his  last  moments, 
related  by  the  person  who  attended  him  : — 

"  R knew  that  his  end  was  near — he  desired 

that  his  thanks  be  made  to  Mr.  Roome,  the  physician, 
and  yourself,  for  the  kindness  he  had  received.  He 
then  spoke  very  seriously  to  all  the  prisoners  in  the 
room.  I  asked  him  how  he  felt  himself?  He  rej)lied, 
'  I  am  quite  composed — I  have  no  fear  of  death — 
God  has  made  me  a  happy  man  in  Christ.'     He  then 


VICTORY  THROUGH  CHRIST.  119 

told  me  to  take  care  of  myself,  and  be  prepared  for 
death.  Directly  after  this  he  expired,  rejoicing  in 
Christ. — 'O  death,  ichere  is  thy  s/ing?  O  grave, 
where  is  thy  victory^  The  sting  of  death  is  sin;  and 
lite  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  But  tltanks  he  to  God, 
lohich  givcth  us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ:'' 

On  a  review  of  the  past  year,  Mr.  Stanford  says  : — 
"  I  have  every  reason  to  be  thankful  for  the  bounties 
of  Providence  to  me  and  mine.  Especially  for  the 
riches  of  the  Lord's  mercy,  and  the  kind  supports  I 
liave  enjoyed  in  the  performance  of  many  new  and  un- 
expected services  as  a  minister  of  the  blessed  gospel. 
Truly  the  Lord  has  been  my  God,  my  guide,  and  my 
support  to  this  day.  O  that  my  gratitude  and  obedience 
were  proportionate  to  my  obligations.  jMay  my  fu- 
ture life  be  more  truly  humble,  and  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  the  Lord.     Amen." 


CHAPTER  Vli. 

COMMENCES    THE    YEAR    WITH  A  PIOUS    RESOLUTION    TO    DE- 
VOTE ALL   HIS  TIME  TO  TJIE    SERVICE  OF  GOD PUBLISHES 

TWO  TRACTS EXTENSIVE  LABOURS. 

JIi^;  diary  for  1808,  commences  with  the  following 
pious  and  solemn  remarks  : — "  January  1st,  another 
year  commenced !  O  how  fast  my  time  flies ;  how 
little  has  been  done  for  the  honour  of  my  Lord,  or 
for  the  benefit  of  my  fellow-creatures.  The  prayer 
of  the  afflicted  female,  '  Lord  help  /??^,'  well  suits  my 
case  and  my  desires. 

"  What  portion  of  this  year  I  may  live,  is  known 
only  to  God,  may  it  all  be  devoted  to  his  glory." 

New- Year's  morning  he  preached  to  the  Moravian 
church,  and  in  the  evening  at  a  chapel  in  Greenwich- 
street.  The  reader  may  have  perceived  that  it  was 
the  pious  custom  of  Mr.  Stanford,  with  the  opening  of 
each  year,  to  pray  to  God  to  be  directed  to  some 
passage  of  scripture,  as  a  means  of  guiding  and  sup- 
porting his  mind,  if  it  should  please  the  Lord  to  spare 
him  until  its  close.  On  this  occasion  his  mind  seems 
to  have  been  particularly  directed  to  Hebrews  xii.  2 
— "  Looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  fni slier  of  our 
faiih,^^'6Lc.  Upon  which  he  remarks: — "Why  should 
I  look  to  myself,  where  all  is  dark  and  wild?  Why 
should  I  not  look  to  the  exalted  Saviour,  who  first 
gave  me  faith,  and  v/ho  alone  can  secure  its  comple- 
tion ?  May  this  be  my  practice,  as  it  is  my  privilege, 
until  in  glory  I  shall  see  him  face  to  face." 

In  his  diary  for  the  last  day  of  January,  the  follow- 
ing praise-Vv'orthy  note  is  found  : — 

"  1  sensibly  feel  the  want  of  time,  for  the  prayerful 
and  deliberate  discharge  of  my  duty  to  the  souls  of 


WORTHY  OF  IMITATION.  121 

men,  owing  to  my  daily  labour  in  the  academy,  and 
repeated  invitations  to  private  family  visits^  which  con- 
sume much  time,  with  little  or  no  advantage  to  my- 
self or  others.  Therefore,  in  the  strength  of  the 
Lord,  1  do  this  day  resolve,  to  spend  no  more  time 
in  this  manner,  but  as  much  as  possible  to  devote 
the  hours  not  employed  in  the  academy,  to  private 
study,  and  in  following  after  God  and  his  truth. 
This  resolution  is  not  only  proper  in  itself  considered, 
but  as  I  have  found  very  great  advantages  resulting 
from  it,  I  do  the  more  earnestly  recommend  a  similar 
course  to  other  Christians,  and  especially  to  my 
brethren  in  the  ministry." 

The  right  improvement  of  time  is  a  subject  of  im= 
mense  importance  to  all  mankind,  but  especially  to 
the  minister  of  the  gospel.  Never  should  he  procras- 
tinate, or  leave  till  to-morrow  what  present  duty  re- 
quires him  to  execute.  It  is  recorded  of  the  Roman 
Titus,  that  he  every  evening  called  himself  to  account 
for  the  transactions  of  the  day;  and  if  it  appeared 
that  he  had  passed  a  day  without  doing  some  good,  he 
was  accustomed  to  exclaim — "  Perdidi  diem !"  I  have 
lost  a  day.  If  such  was  the  declaration  of  a  heathenj 
what  shall  that  Christian  say,  whose  time  is  more 
than  wasted,  in  the  eager  pursuit  of  the  pleasures 
and  applause  of  this  world !  It  was  a  wise  as  well 
as  sacred  rule  among  the  Pythagoreans,  that  they 
should  thrice  every  evening,  recount  and  examine 
the  events  of  the  day;  nor  should  the  Christian,  and 
especially  the  Christian  minister,  be  less  attentive  to 
the  responsibilities  of  life,  since  for  every  hour  we 
must  all  render  an  account  unto  God. 

'•  Nor  let  soft  slumber  close  your  eyes 
Before  you've  recollected  thrice^ 
The  train  of  actions  through  the  day: 
Where  have  my  feet  chose  out  their  way  ? 
What  have  I  learn'd,  where  e'er  I've  been> 
From  all  I've  heard,  from  all  I've  seen? 

11 


12'2  LETTEil  TO  E.  II.  ESQ. 

What  know  I  more  that's  worth  the  knowing  ? 
What  have  I  done  tliat'd  worth  tlie  douig  ? 
What  have  I  soni^lit  that  I  t^hould  shun  ? 
AVhat  duty  have  I  left  undone? 
Or  into  what  new  foUies  run  ? 
These  self-inquiried  are  the  road, 
That  leads  to  virtue  and  to  God. 

Letter  to  E.  H*****,  Esq. 

"  New- York,  January  27,  1808, 

''  MY  DEAR  bIR, 

"  Yesterday  I  was  informed  you  were  again  visited 
with  sickness,  and  to-day  I\****  gave  mc  a  call,  and 
confirmed  the  report.  Although  unwell  myseit",  old 
friendship  demands  a  few  lines. 

"  And  now,  what  shall  I  say  ? — that  all  the  deal- 
ings of  God  with  you  are  in  love,  and  intended 
to  do  you  good?  You  have  been  so  many  years  a 
subject  of  God's  care — you  have  seen  so  many  in- 
stances of  his  grace  and  faithfulness  to  others — and 
vou  have  so  often  felt  the  virtue  of  Christ  through  his 
promises,  that  I  think  you  must  be  tolerably  grounded 
upon  the  doctrine  of  the  unchangeableness  of  your 
everlasting  Father.  I  do  not,  however,  expect  you 
are  quite  out  of  the  reach  of  temptation,  much  less 
do  I  think  your  heart  has  lost  all  its  hardness  or  its 
unbelief.  Indeed,  I  know  and  feel  all  this  for  myself, 
and  I  expect  it  is  the  same  with  you.  All  we  have 
to  do  is,  to  pray  for  the  continued  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  anoint,  and  give  us  power  to  look  to 
Jesus — make  us  feel  the  sweets  of  his  dying  love, 
and  to  seal  us  unto  the  heavenly  inheritance*  Let 
us  remember  that  God  has  been  kind  in  sparing 
our  lives  so  long ;  having  seen  so  many  of  our  old 
acquaintances  go  before  us.  O  for  the  power  of  his 
love  to  rest  upon,  and  help  us  to  make  a  good  fini>h  ! 
That  our  sun  may  not  set  in  a  cloud,  nor  our  lips 
forbear  to  leave  a  happy  testimony  for  the  encou- 


OUT  OF  WEAKNESS  HE  WAS  MADE  STRONG.     123 

lagemeut  of  others,  and  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord. 
The  time  of  dissolution  must  come.  For  myself,  I 
have  not  the  shadow  of  a  choice,  when,  how,  nor  where. 
I  leave  it  to  the  Lord.  If  my  Saviour  smiles  upon 
me,  1  know  I  shall  smile  upon  death.  Is  not  Jesus 
infinitely  wise?  Has  he  not  died  for  us  ?  Why  not 
then  trust  him  to  order  all  for  the  best  ? 

'  I  welcome  all  thy  sovereign  will, 
For  all  that  will  is  love ; 
And  when  I  know  not  what  thou  dost, 
X  wait  the  light  above.' 

"  Your's  in  gospel  love, 

"JOHN  STANFOHD.'^ 

About  the  commencement  of  April,  Mr.  Stanford 
was  seized  v/ith  a  severe  affection  of  the  lungs,  which 
induced  him  to  hesitate  about  preaching  the  three 
allotted  sermons,  and  to  administer  the  Lord's  supper, 
on  the  following  Sabbath.  Nevertheless  he  ventured 
to  proceed  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord;  and  in  the 
evening  he  was  much  relieved,  and  remarked  to  a 
friend: — "  It  is  best  to  go  on,  whether  the  road  be 
rough  or  smooth." 

Of  Mr.  Stanford  it  may  unhesitatingly  be  affirmed, 
that  upon  earth  he  sought  not  for  repose.  He  had 
adopted,  as  his  own,  the  sentiment — 

"  Life  is  the  scene  of  combat,  not  of  rest, 
?.Ian's  is  laborious  happiness  at  best ; 
On  this  side  death  his  labours  never  cease, 
His  joys  are  joys  of  conquest,  not  of  peace." 

In  the  month  of  June  he  attended  the  Warwick 
Association,  to  whom,  by  appointment,  he  preached 
the  introductory  discourse,  from  1  Corinthians  xv.  58 
— "  Therefore,  my  beloved  hrethren,  he  ye  steadfast,  wi- 
vioveahle,  always  ahoundhig  in  the  work  of  the  Lord, 


124  jMinisterial  qualifications. 

forasmuch  as  ye  hwio  that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in 
the  Lord.^^  Referring  to  this  meeting,  he  observes^ 
"  If  seasons  of  Christian  fellowshij)  upon  earth  are  so 
sweet,  O  what  will  be  the  communion  of  saints  in 
heaven  !"  Appended  to  the  notes  of  the  sermon  used 
on  this  occasion,  there  are  the  following  important 
remarks,  worthy  the  attention  of  ev^ery  clerical  reader  : 
"  O  how  ought  the  man  who  undertakes  to  preach 
the  gospel  to  others,  himself  to  be  deeply  impressed 
with  the  awful  reality  of  the  subject!  He  should  go 
forth  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  feeling  the  weight 
of  the  divine  messages  of  truth,  j^ossessed  of  an  ardent 
zeal  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  the  increase  of 
the  visible  church  of  Christ,  and  at  the  same  time  be 
very  conscious  of  his  own  extrenic  un worthiness  and 
responsibility  to  God." 

In  August  he  took  his  annual  journey  to  the  south- 
ward, and  visited  Burlington,  where  he  preached  four 
times,  and  enjoyed  much  satisfaction  in  once  more 
r.ieeting  his  old  friends.  From  thence  he  rndc  to 
Philadelphia,  and  preached  on  the  evening  of  the  24th, 
to  a  numerous  congregation,  in  the  Independent 
tabernacle,  at  that  time  the  largest  and  most  com- 
modious place  of  worship  in  the  city.  Several  larger 
and  equally  elegant  buildings  have  since  been  erected 
for  the  accommodation  of  different  denominations, 
especially  the  Circu.lar  Baptist  meeting-house,  in 
Sansom-street,  which  is  ninety  feet  diameter,  and 
will  contain  upwards  of  three  thousand  persons. 
During  this  visit  Mr.  Stanford  preached  to  the  church 
in  Southwark,  and  in  the  absence  of  their  jiastor,  re- 
ceived seven  persons  into  their  fellowship  by  prayer 
and  the  laying  on  of  hands,  which  is  still  the  practice 
of  the  churches  in  the  Pliiladelphia  Association.  Mr. 
Stanford  also  visited  and  preached  to  the  churches  in 
Holmesburg,  Southampton,  Lower-Dublin,  and  Tren- 
ton; after  which  he  returned  to  this  city;  not  to  rest, 
but  to  labour. 


GRATUITOUS  DISTRIBUTION  OF  TRACTS.         125 

October  20,  being  his  birth-day,  was  spent  in 
hiiniiliation,  prayer,  and  thanksgiving;  renewing  the 
dedication  of  liiniself  to  the  will  and  service  of  that 
good  and  gracious  God,  who  had  crowned  his  life 
with  tender  mercies. 

In  the  month  of  November,  several  ministers  in  the 
city  agreed  to  establish  a  monthly  lecture,  to  be 
preached  alternately  in  their  different  places  of  wor- 
ship, as  a  means  of  promoting  brotherly  union  and 
affection.  Mr.  Stanford  was  requested  to  deliver  the 
first  discourse,  which  he  did  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
paidiencc,  from  Psalm  cxxxiii.  This  interesting 
monthly  service  continued  for  several  years,  not  un- 
accompanied with  the  blessing  of  heaven. 

The  last  evening  of  this  year  he  delivered  a  dis- 
course in  the  Moravian  church,  entitled  "The  Close 
of  the  Year,  an  Emblem  of  the  Death  and  Burial  of  an 
old  Friend,"  from  2  Corinthians  v.  17 — ^'•Old  things 
arc  passed  awayy 

This  year  was  rendered  memorable  in  the  life  of 
Mr.  Stanford,  by  the  re-publication  of  an  evangelical 
tract,  entitled  "  The  Way  of  Salvation;"  of  which, 
by  the  aid  of  a  few  benevolent  gentlemen,  he  was  en- 
abled topubhsh,  and  gratuitously  to  distribute,  chiefly 
with  his  own  hand,  another  edition,  consisting  of  five 
thousand  copies. 

If  to  stand  foremost  in  the  ranks  of  those  who  go 
about  doing  good,  be  indeed  an  honour,  then  to  Mr. 
Stanford  does  that  honour  belong  in  no  ordinary  de- 
gree. The  following  communications  will  show  that 
he  was  probably  the  first  person  in  New- York,  if  not 
in  America,  who  made  a  systematic  effort  for  the 
publication  and  circulation  of  religious  tracts.  In 
this  important  department,  it  will  appear  from  the 
subsequent  pages,  that  he  continued  to  labour  with 
great  acceptance  until  near  the  close  of  his  useful 
lif^^ 

11* 


126  LETTER  TO  REV.  WILLIAM  HALLOCK. 

The  following  communications  upon  this  subject, 
are  inserted  in  this  place  without  reference  to  date. 

*'  DEAR  SIR, 

*' Agreeably  to  your  request,  I  send  you  the  follow- 
ing statement  of  the  origin  of  tracts  in  this  city.  In 
the  year  1794,  impressed  with  the  utility  of  such 
paper  messengers  to  the  ignorant  and  the  miserable, 
I  sought  the  guidance  of  the  Lord,  and  was  assisted 
to  compose  a  tract  of  eight  pages,  on  *  The  Way  of 
Salvation.^  I  know  not,  that  any  Tract  Society  ex- 
isted at  that  time  in  America,  nor  that  in  any  private 
way  such  papers  had  been  distributed  in  this  city  by 
any  person  before.  One  thousand  copies  of  this  tract 
were  printed  at  the  joint  expense  of  three  private 
friends  and  myself,  and  by  us  distributed  gratuitously. 
It  is  believed  the  Lord  blessed  this  first  eftbrt  to 
many. 

"  Shortly  after  this  time  (the  exact  date  I  did  not 
record,)  the  Rev.  3Ir.  Peters,  of  the  Moravian  Church, 
three  private  friends,  and  myself,  associated  ourselves 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  society  for  promoting 
Christian  knowledge  and  piety  among  the  poor  and 
lower  classes  of  society,  by  making  and  distributing 
tracts,  &c. ;  and  it  was  likewise  hoped,  we  should  be 
able  to  procure  Testaments  for  the  same  purpose.. 
The  plan  was  formed — all  the  ministers  in  the  city, 
with  other  pious  persons,  were  invited  to  co-operate, 
and  the  work  for  a  short  time  went  on  prosperously ; 
but  circumstances  soon  occured  which  quashed  the 
whole,  and  the  Tract  and  Bible  Society  were  left  for 
other  hands  to  form  at  a  future  period. 

*'  During  the  last  war  I  published  and  distributed 
two  small  tracts  at  my  own  expense;  one  on  '  Fro- 
fane  Swmring ;'  the  other,  on  '  The  Importance  of 
Social  Prayer,  during  the  Calamiiy  of  War.''  Both 
these  were,  afterwards  copied  into  several  of  th© 
public  papers. 


LETTER  TO  C.  G.  S.  127 

''  On  the  establishment  of  peace,  I  pubHshed  a 
tract  on  '  The  LorcVs  Day.^  By  the  liberal  aid  of 
a  few  friends,  five  thousand  copies  of  this  tract  were 
printed  for  gratuitous  distribution. 

"  1  am,  dear  Sir, 

"  Your's  respectfully, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD. 
''  To  the  Rev.  William  Hallock.'' 

"  DEAR  C.  G.  S.  - 

"  The  tract  I  named  to  you,  on  *  The  Way  of  Sal- 
vation,'' printed  about  thirty-three  years  ago,  was 
probably  the  first  religious  tract  published  in  this  city 
for  gratuitous  distribution.  Dr.  Peter  Wilson,  Gerret 
H.  Van  Wagenen,  Henry  Ten  Broek,  and  others, 
aided  the  press;  and  since  that  time  five  thousand 
copies  have  been  printed. 

"  1  enclose  two  copies  of  tracts;  one  on  *  The 
LonVs  Day^  which,  at  the  time,  was  well  received, 
and  a  poetic  commendation  of  it  was  published  in 
the  city  newspaper  by  some  unknown  hand.  The 
other,  on  '  Profane  Swearing,'^  differs  from  the  tract 
in  circulation,  called  '  The  Swcarer^s  Prayer.''  Mine 
was  intended  to  find  its  way  among  the  higher  classes 
of  society. 

"  '  The  Directory  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,^  for  the 
use  of  prisoners,  cost  me  much  labour,  and  was  pub- 
lished chiefly  at  my  own  expense.  One  of  the  same 
description,  for  the  use  of  hospitals  and  alms-houses, 
might  do  good.  1  have  commenced  one  of  the  kind, 
for  sean^en,  but  it  is  not  yet  finished. 

"  I  have  thought  of  two  tracts,  for  which  I  have 
prepared  some  materials,  viz. — '  The  Lord  of  the  Sab- 
bath Day,''  and  '  The  Self-Destroyer.^  Perhaps,  if  the 
Lord  should  help,  I  may  put  them  together,  and  send 
them  to  your  hand  some  time  hence. 

"  1  am  now  finishing  a  piece  on  a  subject  which 
probably  never  entered  into  any  other  persons  head, 


128  SUBMISSION  TO  THE  DIVINE  WILL. 

It  is — '  Dozing'  before  Sleep,  cxemplifijiiig  the  lingering 
Death  of  Man.''  This  would  do  for  a  tract,  but  I  can- 
not spare  it,  as  it  is  intended  to  occupy  a  place  in  my 
'  Aged  Christian'' s  Cabinet.'' 

"  This  is  a  rough  copy  of  a  letter  for  you;  but  the 
truth  is,  I  must  send  it,  rough  as  it  is — I  have  not 
time  to  transcribe  it,  for  I  must  go  to  Bridewell. 

"  Afiectionately  your's, 

"JOHN  STANFORD." 

*'  January  1st.  This  is  the  Lord's  day  !  Another 
year  has  commenced.  What  events,  duties,  or  trials 
may  await  me,  1  leave  with  my  gracious  Lord.  May 
the  duty  and  privilege  of  walking  with  God  be  mine, 
then  let  me  welcome  whatever  may  be  allotted.'* 
Such  were  the  sentiments  with  which  Mr.  Stanford 
commenced  the  year  1809.  If  God  would  only  grant 
him  a  submissive  spirit,  that  under  all  circumstances 
he  might  be  resigned  to  the  divine  will,  then,  in  the 
absence  of  applause,  ease,  or  worldly  interest,  he 
seems  to  have  been  under  no  particular  concern  about 
the  future.  O  how  enviable  is  this  child-like  disposi- 
tion ;  and  no  man  can  be  more  truly  safe,  than  he 
who  is  willing  to  give  up  all  for  Christ's  sake.  True 
indeed,  it  is  not  the  duty  of  any  man  to  sell  all  that 
he  has,  and  give  it  to  the  poor,  because  the  Saviour 
commanded  the  young  nobleman  to  do  so;  any  more 
than  he  is  under  obligation  to  sacrifice  his  son,  be- 
cause God  commanded  Abraham  to  do  so;  and  yet 
these  were  written  for  our  instruction,  that,  as  the 
creatures  of  God,  we  might  be  prepared,  at  any  mo- 
ment, to  obey  tlie  severest  calls  of  Providence.  From 
the  habitual  resignation  of  his  mind,  we  are  left  to 
infer,  that  this  was  a  subject,  in  the  experimental 
knowledge  of  which,  Mr.  Stanford  had  made  great 
attainments. 

The  first  Sabbath  in  February  was  his  regular  sea- 
son for  preaching  to  the  inmates  of  the  State-Prison  "^ 


TIIH  FACETIOUS  DUTCHMAN.  129 

but  his  health  and  animal  spirits  were  extremely  de- 
})ressed,  and  a  severe  storm  of  snow,  hail,  and  rain, 
accompanied  with  high  winds  during  the  night,  gave 
him  but  little  expectation  of  being  able  to  fulfil  his 
engagement.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  the 
snow  covered  the  ground  to  the  depth  of  nearly  twelve 
inches,  and  he  had  no  means  of  conveyance.*  "  Never- 
theless," he  remarks,  "  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  I 
commenced  my  walk,  and  v/ith  much  difhculty  tra- 
velled about  half  a  mile.  In  endeavouring  to  gain  a 
better  path,  I  suddenly  fell  into  a  deep  drain,  which 
was  covered  with  snow,  and  sunk  nearly  to  my  hips. 
Tt  was  not  without  considerable  difiiculty  I. was  ex- 
tricated, and  pursued  my  way  to  the  Prison ;  my 
outward  garments  were  so  much  frozen,  that  the 
keepers  were  obliged  to  remove  them.  After  resting 
half  an  hour  in  a  warm  room,  I  ventured  into  the 
chapel,  and  performed  divine  worship  with  some  gra- 
cious assistance.  Often  has  this  day's  service  oc- 
curred to  my  recollection,  and  as  often  excited  my 
gratitude  to  the  Lord  for  his  kind  preservation." 

After  the  services  in  the  chapel  were  ended,  and 
he  was  passing  through  the  middle  hall,  to  visit  the 
sick  prisoners  in  the  hospital,  Mr.  Hauman,  who  is  a 
foreigner  by  birth,  and  one  of  the  keepers,  stood  at 
the  back  door  with  the  key  in  his  hand,  and  pleasantly 
offered  him  a  pinch  of  snuff.  After  the  usual  saluta- 
tion, the  foUowino^  dialoii^ue  ensued  : — "  Sir,  vot  use 
you  come  here  to  visit  dis  wicked  people:"  "  1  re- 
plied, that  my  heavenly  Master  made  it  my  duty  to 
visit  the  sick,  and  especially  those  who  are  in  prison." 
"  Den,"  said  he,  "  let  me  ask  you,  vot  use  it  be  for 
de  rain  to  come  dov/n  upon  de  ocean,  de  sea  be  full 

*  It  is  due  to  the  Christian  kindness  of  the  gentlemen  composing  the 
Board  of  commissioners  of  the  State-Prison,  13ellevue,  &c.  to  say,  that 
daring  the  latter  years  of  Mr.  Stanford's  cliaplaincy,  he  was  generally 
provided  with  the  coaches  belonging  to  these  pnblic  institutions  to  convey 
him  to  aiid  from  the  places  where  he  had  appointed  to  preach. 


130  ORDIx\AION  OF  IlEV.  DANIEL  SHARP. 

enuiTof  vaiitcr  vldout  it."     "  Expressing  a  degree  of 
surprise  at  the  intention  of  his  question,  he  immedi- 
ately proceeded" — "  Sir,  I  vill  tell  yon,  dere  be  von 
ship  go  along  pon  de  sea,  vich  be  vont  of  vauter,  an 
de  sailors  de  be  ready  to  die  op  dirst;  de  no  trink  dc 
vauter  out  of  de  ocean.     By  and  by  de  see  cloud,  an 
de  rain  begin  to  come  down  ;  den  de  sailors  spread 
deir  sail  on  de  deck,  de  katch  de  rain-vauter ;  de  do 
trink,  an  den  de  go  on  lifely.     So  you  conie  to  dese 
poor  vv'retchcs — you  spread  de  sail — de  rain  of  Got's 
blessing  come  down,  an  den  de  drink  an  be  glad.     So, 
Sir,  I  vill  now  open  de  door,  an  you  may  spread  3^our 
sail."     "  Thanking  Mr.  II.  for  his  remarks,  I  passed 
through,  to  the  hospital,  with  a  design  to  spread  my 
sails  of  instruction  and  prayer,  in  the  pleasing  hope 
that  some  mercy-drops  from  above  might  descend,  to 
refresh  the  souls  of  the  poor  prisoners.     I  have  often 
indulged  pleasing  reflections  upon  this  little  incident, 
as   conveying  to  me  valuable   instruction.     For,   as 
the  mariner  can  only  spread  the  sail,  it  is  the  Lord 
alone  that  can  raise  the  wind,  or  give  the  gentle  rain  ; 
60  I  can  only  spread  the  gospel  sail  of  instruction,  and 
wait  for  drops  of  mercy  from  above,  to  grant  the  de- 
sired blessing." 

It  was  about  this  time  that  he  commenced  writing 
his  second  series  of  lectures  for  the  benefit  of  theolo- 
gical students.  These  lectures  have  since  been  de- 
livered, with  great  advantage,  to  successive  classes  ; 
and  may  in  due  time  be  given  to  the  public. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  Sir.  Stanford  assisted  at  the 
ordination  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp,"  at  Newark,  in 
New-Jersey.  The  services  were  performed  in  the 
first  Presbyterian  church,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
and  attentive  audience,  to  v/horn  Mr.  Stanford  de- 
livered the  introductory  address. 


*  The  present  nsefal  and  beloved  pastor  of  the  Charles-street  Baptist 
church  in  Boston, 


A  PAINFUL  ACCIDENT.  131 

In  the  month  of  August  ho  again  visited  Mount- 
Pleasant,  where  he  preacljed  nine  times;  after  which 
he  rode  to  Peek  skill  and  York-Town,  where  he  also 
preached  to  the  people,  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ. 

On  the  second  Lord's  day  in  September,  he  preached 
four  times,  and  administered  the  Lord's  supper  twice. 
This  extraordinary  circumstance  arose  from  the  fact, 
that  he  preached  to  two  churches,  whose  communion 
Sabbath  occurred  on  the  same  day. 

in  the  month  of  November,  the  bone  of  his  left  leg 
was  severely  injured,  which  partially  confined  him 
during  tlie  remainder  of  the  year,  and  prevented  his 
preaching  more  than  once  on  each  Lord's  day,  and 
then  only  by  being,  with  great  care,  conveyed  to  the 
place  of  worship  in  a  carriage.  Thus  can  the  Lord 
••  weaken  our  strength  in  the  way,"  and  teach  us 
submission  to  his  will.  In  a  note  upon  this  provi- 
dence of  God,  the  good  man  remarks — "  May  this 
occurrence  afford  me  a  lesson  on  the  importance 
of  improving  my  time,  and  stimulate  me  to  future 
exertions  in  the  service  of  the  Lord.*'  This  visita- 
tion, though  very  painful,  was  not  without  its  use,  as 
it  gavG  him  greater  leisure  for  the  private,  but  not. 
less  important  duties  of  the  closet. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  he  has  the  following  note 
in  his  diary  :— "  This  is  the  last  day  of  the  year:  to 
me,  thou.i]:h  extremely  ill,  and  my  leg  vevy  j)ainful, 
this  is  a  day  of  many  mercies.  I  have  found  the 
cxix  Psalm,  40th  verse,  peculiarly  interesting  to  my 
mind:  ^Remember  the  word  miUj  thy  servant,  upon 
wldch  iJioa  hast  caused  mc  to  JtopeJ^  O  that  1  may 
constantly  realize  the  faithful  promises  of  my  God, 
and  possess  that  faith  which  shall  enable  me  to  ex- 
tract from  it,  encouragement  and  strength  for  duties 
and  trials  in  private  and  public  life,  and  thus  be 
strong  in  iaith,  giving  glory  to  God.  The  evening 
was  spent  in  reviewing  the  many  scenes  and  mercies 


132  E.'^SAY  ON  WALKING  WITH  GOD. 

of  the  past  year,  and  attempting  to  consecrate  my 
body  and  soul  to  Christ  Jesus;  that  whatever  maybe 
my  future  lot,  I  may  \YaIk  with  God,  until  I  step  out 
of  time  into  eternity." 

The  opening  of  the  year  1810,  found  Mr.  Stanford 
confined  at  liome  by  indisposition  of  body,  but  sweetly 
employed  in  meditation,  prayer,  and  thanksgiving  to 
God ;  and  in  endeavouring  renewedly  to  devote  himself 
to  the  Lord,  and  to  his  service  in  the  gospel.  "  My 
public  labours  during  the  last  year,"  he  remarks, 
"  were  not  altogether  in  vain  in  the  Lord;  to  him 
therefore  would  I  ascribe  the  glory,  and  humble  my- 
self before  him  in  dust  and  ashes.  May  I  henceforth 
be  assisted  by  the  Spirit  of  his  grace  to  know,  feel, 
and  preach  the  gospel,  with  more  fruitful ness  for  the 
conversion  of  sinners,  the  comfort  of  believers,  and 
the  glory  of  his  name." 

After  a  confinement  of  two  weeks,  he  again  ven- 
tured to  ride  out,  and  was  assisted  to  preach  twice. 
In  the  afternoon  he  experienced  so  great  a  degree  of 
physical  and  mental  weakness,  owing  to  his  recent 
indisposition,  that  he  was  under  the  necessity  of  cur- 
tailing his  discourse.  But  in  the  evening  he  says :  "  I 
was  more  favoured — such  occurrences  teach  me  how 
much  I  need  power  and  perpetual  influences  from 
above.  May  the  Lord  visit  my  mind  and  heart,  if 
not  with  a  co}}ious  shower  of  his  grace  and  mercy, 
yet  with  the  gentle  dew  of  his  love,  that  I  may  bear 
some  humble  fruit  to  the  honour  of  his  name,  and  the 
benefit  of  his  people." 

During  the  month  of  March,  he  finished  an  essay 
on  "  Walking  with  God."  The  principal  design  of 
which  seems  to  have  been,  to  stimulate  his  own  soul 
in  the  practice  and  enjoyment  of  this  high  and  invahn 
able  privilege.  Upon  this  subject  he  remarks:  "1 
am  taught,  by  painful  experience,  both  to  know  and 
feel,  that  it  is  easier  for  me  to  ualk  in  a  profession, 
and  icalkio  church,  than  to  ivalk  sensibly  and  humblv 


SUDDEN  ILLNESS.  133 

With  my  God.  O  my  hard  and  unfeeling  heart — often 
may  1  read  this  piece,  and  may  the  Lord,  by  his  Spirit, 
{>rodiice  the  desired  effect."* 

On  Lord's  day,  Jidy  8th,  he  preached  a  discourse 
at  the  opening  of  a  new  house  for  worship,  under  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  Archibald  Maclay.  The  text 
was  Psahn  cxviii.  25—"  O  Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  send 
now  prosperity  J'''  The  congregation  was  very  large, 
and  appearances  indicated  a  high  state  of  spiritual 
and  temporal  prosperity.  This  month  he  finished  an 
essay  on  "  The  Abrogation  of  the  Old  Covenant,  and 
the  Establishment  of  the  New."  The  investigation 
of  this  subject  appears  to  have  afforded  him  much 
pleasure,  and  his  essay  has  since  been  read  with  great 
profit  by  others. 

About  the  latter  end  of  the  month,  while  on  a  visit 
to  a  minister  in  the  city,  he  was  suddenly  taken  so 
extremely  ill,  that  it  became  necessary  to  convey  him 
home  in  a  carriage.  Upon  this  event  he  remarks: 
**  How  important  it  is  to  listen  to,  and  improve  such 
unexpected  warnings.  I  know  that  my  good  Lord 
sends  them  to  arouse  my  sluggish  heart.     Be  it  mine, 

*"  A  similar  instance  of  humble  self-detraction,  arising  from  an  exalted 
view  of  the  spirituality  and  glory  of  the  divine  character,  is  recorded  of 
one  of  Britain's  most  enlightened  and  devoted  prelates. 

A  friend  of  Archbishop  Usher,  frequently  expressed  a  wish  that  he 
would  write  an  essay  upon  the  subject  of  sanctilication.  With  this  re- 
quest he  at  length  promised  to  comply.  After  the  lapse  of  several  months 
he  was  again  importuned,  and  atlhe  same  time  reminded  of  his  promise.- 
The  bishop  replied — "  I  have  not  written,  and  yet  I  cannot  charge  myself 
with  a  breach  of  promise ;  for  I  began  to  write,  but  when  I  came  to  treat 
of  the  new  creature  which  God  formeth  by  his  Spirit  in  every  regenerate 
Kjul,  I  found  so  little  of  it  wrought  in  myself,  that  I  could  speak  of  it  only 
us  parrots,  or  by  rote,  without  the  knowledge  of  what  I  might  have  ex- 
pressed, and  therefore  I  durst  not  proceed  any  further  upon  it."  When 
his  friend  expressed  his  surprise  at  hearing  so  eminently  holy  a  man 
niaking  such  a  confession,  the  bishop  went  on  to  say — "  I  must  tell  yon, 
we  do  not  well  understand  what  sanctification  and  the  new  creature  are. 
It  is  no  less  than  for  a  man  to  be  brought  to  an  entire  resignation  of  his 
own  will  to  the  will  of  God,  and  to  live  in  the  offering  up  of  his  soul 
continually  in  the  flames  of  love,  as  a  whole  burnt-offering  to  Christ; 
itnd  O  !  how  many  who  profess  Christianity  are  unacquainted  experi* 
iPsp.tally  with  this  great  work  upon  their  souls !" 

12 


134  LETTER  TO  CAPTAIN  W. 

therefore,  by  liis  heavenly  grace,  to  improve  every 
such  visitation,  knowing  that  in  the  midst  of  life  I  am 
in  death,  and  therefore  need  both  an  actual  and  an 
habitual  preparation  for  my  last  change." 

While  thus  deeply  exercised  for  the  spiritual  im- 
provement of  his  own  heart,  he  was  not  unmindful  of 
the  moral  wants  of  others,  as  will  appear  from  the 
following  letter,  addressed  to  Captain  J.  W*****,  on 
his  making  a  profession  of  religion. 

*'  DEAR  SIR, 

*'  Having  obtained  mercy  to  acknowledge  the  power 
of  Christ  in  the  conversion  of  your  soul;  and  having 
in  the  most  public  manner  devoted  yourself  to  the 
service  of  the  Lord  ;  the  next  thing  is,  for  you  so  to 
conduct  before  the  vvorld,  that  they  may  take  know- 
ledge of  you,  that  you  have  been  with  Christ  and 
learned  of  him.  I  shall  therefore  offer  you  a  few  lines 
of  advice,  sincerely  wishing,  that,  under  the  benedic- 
tion of  God,  they  may  be  useful  to  your  soul,  and 
enable  you  to  walk  worthy  of  God  unto  all  well 
pleasing. 

"  In  order  to  the  enjoyment  of  God,  you  must  be 
earnest  in  prayer.  Prayer  is  the  opening  of  the  heart 
to  God,  expressing  our  wants,  and  receiving  supplies 
from  his  hand.  Ever  depend  upon  the  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  direct  your  petitions,  and  upon  the 
intercession  of  Christ  for  their  acceptance.  The 
more  you  cultivate  a  holy  intercourse  with  God  in 
private,  the  more  heavenly  minded  will  you  be  in 
public.  *  It  is  good  for  //ze,'  said  David,  '  to  draw 
near  to  God;^  and  this  is  true  of  every  believer  in 
Christ. 

*'  Let  me  entreat  you,  my  dear  brother,  often  to 
review  the  late  mercy  of  God  to  you,  in  your  conver- 
sion; this  will  increase  your  humility  and  gratitude. 
The  more  you  reflect  on  your  former  dark  and  sinful 
state,   the  more  humble  and  thankful  will  you  be. 


LETTER  TO  CAPTAIN  W.  135 

David  sang,  '  To  him  that  remembered  us  in  our  low 
estate,  for  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever.^ 

'*  Guard  against  the  rising  of  your  old  sins.  Re- 
member they  are  neither  dead  nor  destroyed,  and 
may  at  some  time  or  otiier  arise  in  your  heart,  and 
striv^e  to  break  forth  in  your  life.  The  old  body  of  sin 
dies  very  hard ;  it  will  bear  more  blows  and  wounds 
than  young  professors  are  aware  of.  Therefore,  on 
the  appearance  of  any  of  your  old  passions,  fly  to  God 
by  prayer,  and  beg  for  his  grace,  which  alone  is 
sufficient,  and  that  sin  may  not  have  dominion  over 
you. 

*'  As  God  hath  mercifully  owned  you  by  his  grace, 
I  earnestly  recommend  you  to  erect  an  altar  for  God 
in  your  family.  Family  prayer  is  a  duty,  and  a  very 
great  privilege,  especially  when  performed  with  an 
humble  and  believing  heart.  David  strove  to  walk 
within  his  house  with  a  perfect  heart — Jacob  taught 
his  household,  and  commanded  his  children.  And 
the  most  high  God  hath  said,  that  '  He  ivill  jwur  out 
his  fury  on  the  families  that  call  not  upon  his  nameJ^ 
May  you,  my  brother,  in  attending  upon  this  duty, 
enjoy  the  richest  blessings  of  God  upon  your  own 
soul,  and  in  the  conversion  of  every  member  of  your 
dear  family. 

"  With  respect  to  your  outward  profession  and 
conduct  before  the  world,  you  will  need  the  greatest 
circumspection.  I  have  not  a  doubt  but  that  many  of 
your  old  companions  in  sin,  will  watch  your  steps,  and 
await  your  halting,  that  they  may  triumph  over  you, 
and  reproach  religion.  Remember,  that  one  improper 
word,  or  one  false  step,  may  be  magniiied  into  a  great 
crime  ;  therefore,  watch  and  pray,  that  you  enter  not 
into  temptation.  I  know  that  from  your  former  con- 
nexions, and  your  present  standing,  you  need  more 
than  ordinary  vigilance.  I  must  recommend  you  to 
cherish  an  affable  disposition  of  mind,  that  no  one 
Uiay  be  induced  to  charge  your  profession  with  melan- 


136  TRACT  ON  THE  LORD'S  DAY. 

cboly.  Who  ought  to  be  more  innocently  chcerfii], 
than  those  who  are  redeemed  by  Christ,  and  have  a 
hope  of  eternal  bliss?  If,  at  any  time,  your  old  inti- 
mates converse  with  you  on  your  change  of  life,  let 
your  answers  be  firm,  but  chastened  by  humihty  and 
gratitude;  and  forget  not  to  honour  tlie  grace  which 
hath  produced  it.  Some  may  probably  try  to  irritate 
j^our  tem])er,  but  I  ho]:)e  you  will  be  upon  your  guard/ 
Like  David,  '  Set  tha  Lord  ahcay  before  you,  he  iiill  he 
at  your  right  hand,  and  you  shall  not  be  moved.''  He 
who  hath  taken  you  out  of  the  miry  clay,  and  set 
your  feet  upon  a  rock,  will  moot  certainly  establish 
your  goings. 

"  Like  the  king  of  Israel,  you  may  derive  strong 
encouragement  to  trust  for  future  supplies.  '  Thy 
i^oics  are  upon  me,  O  God,  for  thou  hast  delivered  my 
soul  from  death  :  wilt  thou  not  deliver  my  feet  from  fall- 
tug,  that  I  may  walk  before  God  in  tiie  light  of  the 
living  T  Thus  may  God  help  you  to  enjoy  the  com- 
forts and  the  h.onour  cf  religion.  Deeply  impressed 
with  a  sense  of  the  divine  presence,  may  you  ever 
keep  your  garments  unspotted  from  the  world,  and 
let  your  light  shine  before  men.  Live  upon  Christ, 
and  the  brightness  of  his  glory  shall  be  your  portion 
for  ever. 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"JOHN  STANFORD. 

''July2Uh,  1810." 

On  the  16th  of  December,  Mr.  Stanford  finished  a 
tract  on  "  The  Observance  of  the  Lord's  Day,"  one 
thousand  copies  of  which  were  afterwards  printed  for 
gratuitous  distribution.  The  flagrant  profanation  of 
the  holy  Sabbath  in  this  city,  at  the  time  when  this 
tract  made  its  appearance,  stamped  it  with  an  im- 
portance, the  amount  of  which  it  would  be  difficult  to 
compute.  By  all  who  lamented  the  desecration  of 
the  day  of  rest,  it  was  welcomed,  as  the  vrarning  voice 


HISTORY  OF  J.  H.  137 

of  God  to  the  erring  multitude;  audit  is  believed  that 
this  opportune  production  exerted  a  salutary  and  re- 
straining influence  over  the  minds  of  many. 

Mr.  Stanford  continued  his  assiduous  labours  for 
the  moral  improvement  of  the  unhappy  inmates  of  the 
State-Prison,  and  generally  visited  the  sick  in  the 
prison  hospital  on  Wednesday  afternoon  of  each 
week.  These  services  were  eminently  blessed  of  the 
Lord  to  the  conversion  of  souls. 

This  proposition  will  receive  further  elucidation 
from  the  history  of  J H -. 

"  This  young  person,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  "  was 
very  ill  of  the  typhus  fever,  and  little  expectation  was 
entertained  of  his  recovery.  He  v^^as  sensible  of  his 
situation,  and  with  much  anguish  lamented  the  errors 
of  his  life.  The  recollection  of  his  pious  parents, 
who  doated  upon  him,  added  keenness  to  his  sorrow. 
I  endeavoured  to  impress  his  mind  with  a  sense  of  his 
depravity  and  guilt,  in  the  sight  of  his  offended  God ; 
and  at  the  same  time  explained  to  him  the  necessity 
of  an  interest  in  the  atoning  sacrifice  and  intercession 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  He  sighed,  and  expressed  great 
apprehension  that  his  case  vs^as  too  desperate  to 
admit  of  relief.  At  his  request  I  prayed  for  him. 
'  Oh,'  said  he,  '  I  wish  1  had  read  my  Bible;  my 
conscience  accuses  me,  and  I  am  more  wretched 
in  mind  than  in  body.  Oh!  how  have  I  neglected  to 
profit  by  my  early  education,  and  how  distracted 
would  my  parents  be  if  they  knew  I  was  about  to  die 
in  my  sins!'  i  directed  him  to  Jesus,  the  friend  of 
sinners,  who  is  able  to  save  both  body  and  soul. 
He  replied,  '  I  know  that  Christ  is  '  the  loay,  the 
truth.,  and  the  life;''  but  then  he  is  not  such  to  me, 
and  I  fear  he  never  will  be  my  Saviour.'  This  gave 
me  the  opportunity  of  further  explaining  to  him  the 
tender  mercy  and  compassion  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  and 
I  assured  him  that  there  never  had  been  an  instance, 
or  ever  would  be,  that  Christ  would  in  any  wise  cast 

12!* 


138 


HISTORY  OF  J.  11. 


out  the  penitent  sinner  who  came  unto  him.  I  further 
instructed  him  concerning  the  office  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
to  give  him  faith,  and  ahihty  to  come  to  Jesus  for 
the  enjoyment  of  pardon  and  peace;  and  that  this 
work  of  the  Spirit  was  as  necessary  to  he  produced  in 
him,  as  the  work  of  Christ  was,  to  atone  for  our  sins. 
To  encourage  his  prayer  for  this  hlessing,  I  assured 
him  that  God  had  promised  to  give  his  Spirit  to  them 
that  ask  him.  '  Then,'  said  he,  '  I  will  pray  for  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  I  hope  you  will  also  pray  for  me.'' 

*'  Lord's  day,  December  23d.  After  morning  ser- 
vice in  the  chapel,  this  young  person  sent  for  me  in 
haste.  On  entering  his  room  he  said,  '  O,  Sir,  the 
physician  has  informed  me  that*  at  most,  I  cannot  live 
more  than  two  or  tlui  e  days.  This  I  received  as  my 
death  warrant;  the  shock  however  continued  but  a 
short  time.  God  has  visited  me  in  mercy,  and  I  really 
feel  in  my  heart,  tliat  peace,  through  the  blood  of  my 
Saviour,  v.hich  I  v/ould  not  exchange  for  all  the  gold 
in  the  world !  I  nov/  want  to  tell  you  a  little  of  my 
short  life. 

*'  My  parents  are  pious,  and  possess  a  great  deal  of 
property.  I  am  their  only  son,  and  they  brought  mc 
up  religiously,  and  gave  me  a  good  education.  When 
I  was  about  twenty,  they  set  me  up  in  business,  and 
I  was  foolish  enough  to  take  a  man  as  a  partner,  wlio 
deceived  me,  and  wasted  my  property.  I  was  afraid 
to  tell  my  parents,  and  at  a  trying  moment,  I  com- 
mitted that  oiFence  which  brought  me  to  this  place  of 
misery.'  After  weeping  al)undantly,  lie  then  pro- 
ceeded: *  At  the  sad  time  of  my  sentence,  my  mother 
came  to  see  me.  The  sight  of  my  misery  overcame 
her — she  fainted  and  fell  upon  my  chains.  Under 
the  recollection  of  these  troubles,  if  I  die,  do  let  my 
parents  know  that  I  ask  their  forgivenes,  and  that  1 
depart  from  this  world  in  possession  of  pardon  and 
peace  in  my  blessed  Saviour.  The  fear  of  death  is 
gone ;  his  terrors  do  not  make  me  afraid.'     Percciv- 


HISTORY  OF  J.  H.  139 

ing  this  exertion  too  much  for  him,  I  offered  prayer 
and  retired,  not  expecting  to  see  him  again  in  this 
vale  of  tears. 

"  December  26th.    Inquiring  if  J H was 

dead,  was  happy  in  being  informed  that  his  fever, 
contrary  to  all  e.xpectation,  had  taken  a  favourable 
turn.  He  stretched  out  his  hand  for  me  to  embrace 
it.  '  1  feel,'  said  he,  *  like  a  new  man  in  a  new 
world;  I  attribute  this  relief  to  God  only,  for  the 
physicians  had  given  me  over.  O  that  my  life  may 
])e  devoted  to  my  Saviour!  When  my  dear  parents 
hear  of  this,  it  will  be  a  balm  to  their  troubled  hearts. 
I  am  now  almost  covered  with  sores,  so  that  I  can 
hardly  turn  in  my  bed:  but  O!  v/hat  are  these  when 
compared  to  my  sins,  and  to  the  great  mercy  of  my 
God.  Now,  Sir,  let  me  once  more  thank  you  for 
your  attention  to  me,  and  do  once  more  pray  for  me 
and  my  parents.' 

'*  The  health  of  this  young  man  was  happily  re- 
stored, I  afterwards  conversed  with  him  frequently, 
and  he  maintained  a  lively  hope  in  the  l^ord  Jesus. 
Jlis  conduct  was  so  exemplary,  that  in  a  few  months 
he  received  his  pardon,  and  returned  to  the  eiiibraces 
of  his  affectionate  parents." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MR.   STANFORD    INVITED    TO    SETTLE    IN    SAVANNAH VISITS 

THE  STATE-PRISONS  IN  NEW-JERSEY  AND  PENNSYLVANIA, 
BY  SPECIAL  REQUEST  OF  THE  COMMON  COUNCIL HE  RE- 
CEIVES   AN    APPOINTMENT    AS    CHAPLAIN    TO    THE    PUBLIC 

INSTITUTIONS      IN     NEW-YORK RELINQUISHES      ALL      HIS 

PREVIOUS  ENGAGEMENTS. 

With  the  commencement  of  the  3'ear  1811,  Mr. 
Stanford,  as  had  long  been  his  practice,  made  a  special 
request  of  the  Lord,  to  grant  him  some  particular  text 
of  Scripture  to  direct  and  animate  him  through  the 
year.  Upon  this  subject  he  remarks:  "  The  word  of 
the  Lord,  impressed  upon  my  mind  as  a  directory  for 
this  new  year,  is  Psalm  Ixxi.  16 — '  /  loill  gd  in  the 
strength  of  the  Lord  God :  I  ivill  make  mention  of  thy 
righteousness,  even  of  thine  only.''  And,  in  what 
strength  else  can  I  go  in  the  midst  of  temptations 
and  sorrows,  but  in  that  of  the  Lord  my  God;  and 
what  else  shall  be  the  subject  of  my  preaching,  but 
the  righteousness  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord.''  In  his  strength  therefore  may  I  persevere, 
and  in  his  righteousness  may  I  be  found  living, 
preaching,  dying,  and  at  the  judgment  seat  of  the 
Lord  Jesus." 

Like  the  pious  Dr.  Young,  he  could  say,  Christ  is 

"  My  theme,  my  inspiration,  and  my  crown, 
My  strength  in  age — my  life  in  low  estate — 
My  soul's  ambition — pleasure — wealth — my  world— 
My  light  in  darkness — life  in  death — 
My  boast  in  time — bliss  through  eternity — 
My  sacrifice — my  God !" 

On  the  first  Sabbath  he  preached  twice  in  the  State- 
Prison  chapel,  after  which  he  visited  a  dying  female 


DIVIxNITY  STUDENTS.  141 

prisoner,  and  had  about  twenty  of  her  forlorn  asso- 
ciates assembled  in  the  ward.  The  sick  woman  ap- 
peared very  sensible  of  her  miserable  state,  and  her 
need  of  an  Almighty  Saviour.  After  directing  her  to 
Jesus,  the  I^amb  of  God,  he  addressed  tiie  cc'iipany 
present  with  good  clfect,  and  closed  the  visit  with 
prayer. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  Mr.  Stanford  received  a 
class  of  eight  divinity  students,  of  whom  he  says: — 
"  I  pray  tlie  Lord  to  make  me  useful  in  directing 
their  minds  into  the  greater  knowledge,  harmony, 
connection,  and  application  of  divine  truth  ;  that 
thereby  they  may  become  more  able  ministers  of  the 
New  Testament,  and  more  useful  to  tiie  church  and 
the  v.orid."  Of  the  class  here  alluded  to,  only  one 
has  been  called  to  give  up  his  account  unto  Cod;  and 
it  is  gratifying  to  be  permitted  to  state,  that  he  died 
in  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  in  the 
triumph  of  faith.  Three  of  the  survivors  are  now 
preaching  the  gospel  with  success  in  the  state  of  Nevi'- 
York,  and  the  remaining  members  of  the  class  are 
filling  stations  of  importance  in  the  churches  of  Christ. 

In  the  month  of  April,  he  received  a  message,  by  a 
gentleman  from  the  Baptist  church  in  Savannah, 
wishing  him  to  come  and  settle  with  them  as  their 
n)inister;  but  impressed  with  a  firm  persuasion  that 
God  had  fixed  the  place  of  his  habitation,  and  blessed 
him  in  this  city,  he  immediately  declined  the  proposal. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Mr.  Stanford  visited 
Pennsylvania  and  New-Jersey,  by  the  particular  re- 
(luest  of  the  Common  Council,  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
amining the  condition  of  the  State-Prisons,  and  with 
a  view  to  improvements  in  the  New-York  State- 
Prison.  A  similar  service  was  performed  in  J 821, 
of  which  a  particular  account  may  be  found  under 
that  date. 

In  company  with  Mr.  Joseph  Price,  one  of  the  in- 
ppectors,  he  passed  through  the  institution  in  Phila- 


142  TRACT  ON  PROFANE  SWEARING. 

(lelpliia,  and  made  notes  on  the  construction  of  the 
building,  the  government  of  the  prison,  the  articles 
manufactured,  and  such  other  subjects  as  appeared 
to  be  worthy  of  particular  notice.  On  his  way  home, 
he  spent  a  day  at  Trenton ;  and  in  company  with  his 
old  friend,  his  Excellency  Governor  Bloomfield,  he 
visited  the  State-Prison  of  New-Jersey,  for  the  same 
purpose,  and  having  satisfied  himself  in  viewing  the 
institution,  taking  notes,  <fec.  he  delivered  a  discourse 
to  the  prisoners  in  the  afternoon,  and  in  the  evening 
a  lecture  to  the  Baptist  church  at  Lambcrton.  The 
following  evening,  by  request  of  Dr.  Clarke,  the 
Presbyterian  minister,  he  delivered  a  sermon  in  his 
pulpit,  and  on  the  following  day  returned  to  his  habi- 
tation in  peace.  Thus  did  he  once  more  experience 
the  fulfilment  of  that  gracious  promise—"  The  Lord 
is  thy  keeper :  the  Lord  is  thy  shade  upon  thy  right  hand. 
The  Lord  shall  preserve  thy  going  out  and  thy  coming 
in  from  tJiis  time  forth,  and  even  for  evermore.'^''  Psalm 
cxxi.  5,  8. 

In  the  month  of  October,  Mr.  Stanford  wrote  an 
able  dissertation,  on  "  The  Laying  on  of  Hands," 
but,  as  it  was  never  published,  it  would  seem  that  the 
chief  design  of  this  composition,  was,  to  furnish  his 
own  mind  with  what  the  scriptures  say  on  the  subject. 
About  the  same  time  he  published  his  excellent  tract 
on  "  Profane  Swearing  ;"  a  large  edition  of  which 
was  gratuitously  distributed  among  the  Icwer  class  of 
the  communiiy. 

The  subjoined  letter  to  Dr.  H*****,  is  another 
evidence  of  his  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  men. 

"  DEAR  N.  II. 

*'  I  regret,  that  at  present,  my  engagements  are 
such  as  to  prevent  my  making  you  frequent  visits. 
Notwithstanding,  you  are  remembered  in  my  prayers, 
that  it  may  please  God  to  bless  the  means  employed 
for  your  recovery,  or,  if  he  has  otherwise  determined, 


LETTER  TO  DR.  H.  143 

that  you  may  enjoy  adequate  support  and  consolation. 
The  love  of  life  is  natural  to  all ;  but,  in  the  bloom  of 
years,  and  surrounded  by  the  brightest  earthly  pros- 
j)ects,  the  desire  proportionably  increases.  When, 
therefore,  sickness  or  afflictions  overcast  our  sky,  it 
cannot  but  produce  very  painful  emotions.  I  know 
of  but  one  adequate  remedy  for  this  case.  It  is,  a 
cheerful  resignation  to  the  divine  will,  from  a  per- 
suasion that  he  pardoneth  our  sins,  and  that  he  de- 
signeth  our  present  and  future  benefit ;  or,  if  you  wish 
the  recipe  in  other  language,  you  have  it  in  Psalm 
xlviii.  14. 

*'  A  quack  doctor  may  make  up  a  prescription  pre- 
sented to  his  hand,  without  knowing  the  properties  of 
the  drugs,  or  the  nature  of  the  disease,  which  the 
medicine  is  intended  to  cure ;  but,  a  well  educated 
physician,  will  endeavour  to  understand  both,  in  order 
to  secure  his  success.  Ygu  will,  I  suppose,  admit, 
that  there  are  quacks  both  in  the  profession  of  medi- 
cine and  in  divinity.  I  am  only  the  Physician's  ser- 
vant ;  lest,  therefore,  you  should  think  me  a  quack, 
I  must  describe  to  you  the  component  parts  of  my 
prescription.     It  consists, 

"  1st.  In  a  persuasion  that  God  pardoneth  our  sins. 
This  pardon  is  the  principal  ingredient,  because  sin 
is  our  mortal  disease.  If  we  analize  this,  we  shall 
find  that  it  contains  j ust ice,  mercy,  and  love.  Not  pro- 
duced by  the  abstract  benevolence  of  the  Deity,  but 
found  only  on  the  hill  of  Calvary,  through  the  suffer- 
ings and  death  of  the  Son  of  God.  The  sovereign 
efficacy  of  this  arises  from  the  appointment  of  God — 
its  perfect  correspondence  with  the  requirements  of 
the  law  which  we  have  violated,  and  its  adaptation  to 
our  wretched  condition  as  sinners.  Now,  there  is  no 
other  book  but  the  Bible,  which  reveals  this  remedy; 
and  the  greatest  care  ought  to  be  taken  to  explain 
its  nature,  because  the  life  of  the  patient  absolutely 
depends  upon  it ;  and,  however  valuable  and  effica- 


144  LETTER  TO  DR.  II. 

cious  in  itself,  the  patient  lias  the  most  astonishing 
aversion  to  it,  until  he  is  convinced  he  must  surely 
die. 

"  Does  not  my  reason  tell  me,  that  I  must  bear 
the  punishment  due  to  my  own  sins,  or,  that  I  must 
be  indebted  to  the  mediation  of  another  ?  Certainly  ; 
even  if  there  were  no  Bible,  common  sense  would 
teach  me  this  lesson. 

*'  2d.  The  next  ingredient  is,  '  A  cheerful  resigna= 
tion  to  the  divine  will.'  This  will  most  charmingly 
incorporate  with  the  former  drug,  if  I  may  so  say, 
but,  witiiout  it,  it  will  have  no  effect:  for  [  must  first 
know  that  God  forgiveth  my  sins,  before  I  can  with 
cheerfulness  resign  myself  to  his  will.  But,  if  I  am 
persuaded  of  this,  I  may  say,  '  This  God  is  my  God^ 
for  ever  and  ever  ;  aiul  he  shall  he  my  guide^  even  unto 
death.''  \\\  prosperity  or  adversity,  in  sickness  or  in 
health,  my  temper,  conduct,  whole  life,  shall  be 
directed  to  the  honour  of  my  God  and  Guide. 

"  JNow  we  take  the  last,  which  sweetens  all  the 
rest — A  full  persuasion  that  '  he  designs  my  present 
and  future  felicity.'  All  things  shall  work  together 
like  the  different  drugs  in  a  medicine,  administered 
by  the  great  Physician,  for  my  good- — to  save  my  soul 
— comfort  me  in  sorrow — preserve  me  from  evil—* 
support  me  in  death,  and  bring  me  to  immortality  and 
glory  !  Such  is  the  comfort  which  the  gospel  reveals  ; 
and  my  prayer  to  God  for  you  is,  that  you  may 
abundantly  enjoy  it. 

"  Weil,  I  have  got  to  the  end  of  my  paper,  and  yet, 
Vou  know  something  more  is  necessary.  You  always 
put  a  label  upon  the  phial  to  direct  the  patient  how 
to  take  the  contents  ;  but  as  for  me,  I  am  only  the 
j)Oor  servant  of  the  great  Physician,  yet  1  will  pray 
my  divine  Master  to  make  you  a  visit,  and  administer 
to  you  the  cordial  of  salvation. 

"  Sincere'v  your's, 

"  JOILN  STANFORD 

^^  March  Sih,  1611." 


Ix\TERESTING  INCIDENT.  145 

On  the  first  Lord's  day  in  November,  a  pestilential 
iever  made  its  appearance  in  tlie  State-Prison,  which 
rendered  it  necessary  to  convert  the  chapel  into  a 
hospital.  In  consequence  of  this  arrangement,  Mr. 
Stanford  consented  to  preach  in  hall  No.  5,  at  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  the  seat  of  the  contagion; 
but  his  visits  among  the  sick  and  dying  in  the  hos- 
pital, were  unremitted  and  faithful. 

Like  the  praiseworthy  Howard,  to  whose  magnanim- 
ous philanthropy  we  have  before  alluded,  our  indefati- 
gable Stanford  did  literally  relinquish  his  own  ease,  to 
visit  the  abode  of  the  wretched  who  were  destitute, 
and  "  bound  icith  fetters  of  iron^  Few  of  those  who 
have  adorned  the  Christian  Church  in  any  age,  have 
been  more  willing  to  expose  themselves  to  danger, 
that  they  might  free  others  from  it,  or  to  enter  the 
gloomy  cell,  that  they  might  inspire  a  ray  of  hope  im- 
mortal in  the  breast  of  the  disconsolate  captive.  He 
lived  and  died  in  the  noble  cause  of  Christian  bene- 
volence; and  though  no  sculptured  monument  will 
convey  to  posterity  the  history  of  his  disinterested 
and  pious  labours,  yet  his  memory  is  embalmed  in 
the  grateful  hearts  of  those  for  whom  he  toiled;  and 
his  imperishable  fame  will  survive  the  wreck  of  every 
mausoleum,  save  that,  where  works  of  righteousness 
are  had  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

About  this  time,  Mr.  Stanford,  meeting  with  Mr. 
E.  J.  W******,  in  Wall-street,  who,  judging  from 
the  thread-bare  appearance  of  his  garments,  that  a 
new  suit  would  be  acceptable,  invited  Mr.  S.  to  step 
into  a  merchant  tailor's  shop  opposite.  After  they 
entered,  Mr.  W.  remarked  to  the  tailor  that  he  had 
called  for  the  purpose  of  requesting  him  to  decide 
a  point  upon  which  there  was  some  doubt,  viz. — - 
who  was  the  largest  man,  Mr.  Stanford  or  himself. 
They  were  accordingly  measured,  and  nothing  more 
was  said  upon  the  subject.  The  following  week  a  new 
suit  of  clothes  was  brought  to  Mr.  S.  accompanied 

13 


146  LETTER  TO  xMR.  E.  J.  W. 

with  an  anonymous  note,  requesting  his  acceptance  of 
them.  When  relating  this  circunjstancc  to  the  writer, 
he  remarked,  with  his  usual  j)leasantry,  "Well,  what 
could  I  do  but  pocket  the  aftront  1" 

Letter  to  Mr.  E.  J.  W****** 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  In  some  measure  I  can  say  with  Dr.  Blair,  that 
'  Gratitude  is  one  of  the  sweetest  emotions  of  the  hu- 
man soul.'  And  the  word  of  God  declares,  that  they 
who  are  unthankful  are  unholy.  Allow  me,  therefore, 
to  present  to  you  my  very  affectionate  thanks  for  your 
vahiable  and  generous  donation.  Most  sincerely  do  I 
desire  that  God,  in  the  unbounded  riches  of  his  grace, 
may  clothe  you  with  those  vestments  in  which  his 
people  are  arrayed,  and  with  them  may  you  appear 
at  the  throne  of  mercy,  and  eventually  be  exalted 
to  the  throne  of  glory.  What  these  garments  are, 
you  are  informed  in  Isaiah  ixi.  10.  As  sinful  crea- 
tures we  have  lost  our  moral  robe ;  w^e  cannot  appear 
before  the  throne  of  God  without  shame  and  punish- 
ment ;  and,  although  our  first  parents,  conscious  of 
their  guilt,  covered  themselves  with  fig  leaves  to  con- 
ceal their  transgression,  yet  the  eye  of  God  discovered 
and  brought  them  to  confession.  Thus  does  every 
child  of  Adam  endeavour,  in  his  approach  unto  God, 
to  clothe  himself  in  his  own  righteousness.  Nor  shall 
we  be  undeceived,  until  God  addresses  us  in  language 
similar  to  that  in  which  he  spake  to  Adam — '  Sinnery 
where  art  tliouT  Then  shall  we  know  that  our  souls 
are  naked,  and  seek  for  refuge  beneath  the  cross  of 
Christ.  The  Lord,  in  mercy,  I  hope,  has  thus  dis- 
covered to  us  our  sinful  deformity,  and  that  our  own 
righteousness  is  as  filthy  rags.  Thanksgiving  and 
praise  be  unto  the  Lord,  that,  in  his  wardrobe  we 
find  a  complete  suit  of  garments,  arrayed  in  which, 
we  may  approach  imto  God  with  confidence  at  the 


LETTER  TO  MR.  E.  J.  W.  147 

throne  of  grace,  and  eventually  be  accepted  at  the 
throne  of  judgment. 

"  These  garments,  Isaiah  describes;  and  in  the 
language  of  Paul,  wearing  them  is  denominated  a 
*  patting  on  ike  Lord  Jesus  Christ^''  whom  Jeremiah 
triumphantly  proclaims,  *  The  Lord  our  Righteousness,'' 
I  will  therefore  take  the  words  of  Isaiah,  and  from 
w^hat  little  1  know  of  these  sacred  garments,  offer 
you  a  short  description ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  add 
my  fervent  prayer,  that  you  and  your's  may  know 
them  better  by  happy  possession. 

"  If  you  cast  your  eye  upon  the  words,  you  will 
perceive  that  there  are  trco  garments  provided,  and 
that  they  are  ornamented  with  jewels.  These  garments 
are  adapted  to  a  marriage,  and  with  these  the  Church 
is  adorned;  and  we  are  certain  that  the  possession  of 
them  will  never  fail  to  create  joy  and  rejoicing  in  the 
hearts  of  all  who  receive  them.  The  garments,  I 
said,  are  two:  the  first  is  an  inward,  and  the  other  is 
an  outward  robe,  which  covers  the  whole.  The  first 
is  called  Hhe  garments  of  salvation,''  and  comes  near- 
est to  the  heart.  This  was  made  by  the  sacrifice  of 
Jesus  Christ  upon  the  cross  : — '  We  have  redemption 
through  his  blood,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins;'*  without 
this,  v/e  could  have  no  hope  of  salvation.  The  outer 
robe  is  called  '  the  robe  of  righteousness,''  and  is  com- 
posed of  the  meritorious  obedience  of  the  Son  of 
God.  This  was  so  pure  and  spotless,  that  it  is  called 
'  the  righteousness  of  God,  which  is  unto  all,  and  upon  all 
them  tliai  believe,^  It  is,  indeed,  the  best  robe  which 
the  Father  can  give,  or  the  returning  prodigal  receive. 

"  The  chief  desire  of  Paul,  when  he  was  an  old 
man,  was  this: — That  he  might  '  he  found  in  him,  not 
having  mine  own  righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law,  but 
that  ivhich  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ.^  These 
constitute  the  basis  of  our  hope!  If  they  could  be 
taken  away,  we  must  for  ever  perish,  beneath  the 
frowas  of  divine  justice. 


148  LETTER  TO  MR.  E.  J.  W. 

"  It  is  worthy  of  attention,  that  the  same  God  who 
in  mercy  provides  these  garments,  must  put  them 
upon  us,  for  by  nature  we  are  attached  to  our  filthy 
garments  of  the  flesh,  and  are  at  enmity  against  the 
free  and  full  salvation  and  riiihteousness  which  is  in 
Christ.  Therefore  Isaiah  says,  ^  He  hath  clothed  me." 
The  same  God  who  provides  the  garments,  I  said, 
puts  them  upon  us,  or  we  should  remain  unclothed 
for  ever.  Tliis  makes  salvation,  from  first  to  last,  to 
be  of  free  mercy  and  grace,  and  enables  us  to  say, 
'  Christ  is  all  and  in  a  11.^ 

''  These  garments  are  highly  ornamental.  They 
are  beautified  with  the  brilliant  graces  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  so  that  the  possessors,  by  their  temper,  life, 
profession,  experience,  and  general  conduct,  adorn 
the  doctrine  of  God  their  Saviour  in  all  things. 
There  are  some  who  seem  to  possess  the  gift  of 
many  spiritual  jewels,  by  which  they  become  highly 
useftd  in  the  w^orld,  and  in  the  Church.  In  life,  such 
Christians  contribute  much  to  the  moral  benefit  of 
their  fellow-creatures,  and  materially  promote  the 
cause  of  Christ,  by  their  humility,  benevolence,  for- 
bearance, patience,  and  love.  Concerning  these  gar- 
ments, I  may  safely  say,  they  will  never  wear  out ; 
and  the  jewels  themselves,  though  sometimes  a  little 
of  the  dust  of  worldly-mindedness  may  conceal  their 
beauty  for  a  time,  yet  their  intrinsic  excellence  will 
ever  remain;  and  God  is  not  wanting  in  means,  by 
the  brush  of  afifliction,  to  make  them  sparkle  again. 

"  Isaiah  seems  desirous  to  impress  upon  our  minds, 
that  this  exquisitely  rich  dress,  is  a  icedding  dress. 
The  bridegroom  is  Christ,  his  bride  is  the  Church ; 
and,  as  according  to  the  ceremony  of  Jewish  mar- 
riages, there  was  first  a  betrothment ;  so  also  when 
the  Father  chose  his  people,  and  gave  them  to 
his  Son,  there  was  an  espousal ;  after  which  the 
parties  are  brought  together ;  and  thus  it  is  at  our 
conversion;    which  will   be   followed    by   the   public 


HIS  DESIRE  TO  BE  USEFUL.  149 

marriage  that  is  to  take  place  at  the  first  resurrection.. 
At  that  august  scene,  in  the  language  of  David, 
'  the  king^s  daughter  is  all  glorious  iditliin:  her  clothing 
is  of  ivroa^xht  s;olcl.  She  shall  he  hrou^^ht  unto  the  kins 
in  raiment  of  needlework.^  Psalm  xl  v.  Or,  according 
to  Paul,  '  He  will  present  it  to  himself  a  glorious  Churchy 
not  having  spot  or  tvrinkle,  or  any  such  thing.''  Ephe- 
sians  v.  O  that  you  and  I  may  rejoice  in  hope  of 
the  glory  of  God ! 

"  For  the  abundant  goodness  of  God,  in  clothing 
him  with  the  garments  of  salvation,  Isaiah  could  not 
but  say,  '  /  will  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  my  soul 
shall  be  joyful  in  my  God:^  and  shall  we  not  join  in 
the  sacred  anthem?  In  our  temper,  profession,  and 
conduct,  at  home  and  abroad,  let  us  magnify  the 
exceeding  riches  of  divine  grace,  for  what  we  have 
received  through  Jesus  Christ  our  ascended  Lord! 
Very  great  and  precious  promises  are  given  for  our 
encouragement,  confirmation,  and  joy,  in  prospect  of 
immortality. 

"  To  the  gracious  care  of  the  Saviour,  I  commend 
you  and  your's,  and  conclude  myself, 

"  Your  oblio-ed  and  affectionate  friend, 

'^  JOHN  STANFORD. 
''  November  lolh,  1811." 

From  this,  until  the  close  of  the  year,  Mr.  Stanford 
continued  in  the  untiring  prosecution  of  the  duties  of 
his  chaplaincy.  The  regions  of  worldly  gratification, 
possessed  no  charms  sufficient  to  allure  his  contem- 
plative soul;  while  his  peaceful  labours  were  blessed 
with  the  usefulness  for  which  heaven  had  appointed 
them,  he  was  but  little  concerned  who  might  wear 
the  diadem  of  earthly  greatness,  or  wield  the  sceptre 
of  human  power,  or  gather  the  deathless  laurels  of 
literary  glory,  and  fill  the  world  with  their  fame.  If 
he  could  but  witness  the  triumphs  of  the  gospel,  and 
behold   penitent  sinners   returning  to   the  Saviour, 

13* 


350  WALKING  BY  FAITH. 

and  the  kingdom  of  Christ  extending;  then  his  happi- 
ness seemed  to  be  complete.  In  this  respect  he  was 
favoured  with  no  ordinary  measure  of  enjoyment. 
Nevertheless,  during  the  last  week  of  this  year,  the 
good  man  seems  to  have  experienced  a  temporary 
mental  depression;  but  eren  in  that  condition,  we 
recognize  the  man  of  God  "  walking  by  faith.''''  This 
is  apparent  from  the  following  note  in  his  diary: — 
*'  My  mind  is  far  from  being  in  a  desirable  frame, 
whether  to  review  or  improve  the  events  of  the  j)ast 
year ;  but  I  will  cast  myself  into  the  hand  of  that  God 
who  has  thus  far  directed  my  steps  through  this 
gloomy  vale  of  tears;  and  pray  that  in  future  he 
would  dispose  of  me  and  mine,  in  that  way  which 
shall  best  promote  his  glory."  Thus  did  he,  like  the 
pious  John  Newton,  declare,  even  in  view  of  antici- 
pated trials — 

"  Though  dark  be  my  way,  since  he  is  my  guide, 
'Tis  mine  to  obey,  His  his  to  provide; 
Tho'  cisterns  be  broken,  and  creatures  all  fail, 
The  word  he  has  spoken  shall  surely  prevail." 

With  similar  sentiments  does  he  appear  to  have 
commenced  the  year  1812.  "All  I  can  say  is,  Lord, 
dispose  of  me  according  to  thy  good  pleasure  ;  be  my 
guide  in  life,  grant  me  a  peaceful  end,  and  receive 
mv  soul  at  last." 

A  prisoner  being  desirous  of  expressing  liis  grati- 
tude  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  wrote  a  Latin 
letter  to  Mr.  Stanford,  which  he  enclosed  in  the  fol- 
lowing note  to  the  superintendent  of  the  Prison. 

"  INDULGENT  SIK, 

*'  Permit  me,  through  the  medium  of  yourself,  to 
present  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stanford  with  a  New-Year's 
gift.  The  friendly  and  disinterested  manner  in  which 
he  has  so  frequently  addressed  us,  has  impressed  me. 


A  LATIN  LETTER  BY  O.  P.  151 

and  I  sincerely  believe  many  others,  with  a  deep  sense 
of  our  oblio^ations.  1  am  not  authorized  to  address 
him  in  behalf  of  the  prisoners,  though  individuals 
cordially  assent,  but  beg  leave,  in  the  commencement 
of  the  New- Year,  to  give  him  a  small  token  of  our 
gratitude.  The  mode  m.ay  appear  novel.  1  have 
written  it  in  Latin,  not  with  a  view  to  exhibit  a  spe- 
cimen of  an  imperfect  and  much  impaired  education, 
but  merely  to  pay  a  just  compliment  to  Mr.  Stanford's 
superior  understanding.  For  your  own  personal 
convenience,  I  have  annexed  to  this  a  translation,  as 
literal  as  the  peculiar  idioms  of  the  two  languages 
would  permit.  There  are  undoubtedly  many  imper- 
fections; but  Mr.  Stanford's  well  known  goodness 
encourages  a  hope  that  he  will  view  it  with  candour. 

*,'  Notwithstanding  the  gratitude  1  feel  for  Mr. 
Stanford,  it  is  not  confined  to  him  alone.  You,  Sir, 
hold  an  equal  claim.  For  the  numerous  instances  of 
your  past  kindness,  I  wish  you,  on  this  occasion,  a  re- 
storation of  your  health.  May  you  liberally  enjoy  the 
blessings  of  the  New  Year.  May  you  long  live  to 
enjoy  conjugal  and  paternal  felicity.  May  the  lives  of 
those  sweet  babes,  who  daily  delight  you  with  their 
innocent  prattle,  be  prolonged ;  and  may  they  become 
ornaments  to  society,  in  whose  future  prosperity  you 
anticipate  the  joys  of  your  old  age. 

"  With  sentiments  of  gratitude,  I  subscribe  myself, 

"  The  unfortunate, 

"  O P , 

"  To  Nicholas  Roome,  Esq.'' 

*'  ANNI  NOVI  DONUM. 
"  Revere7idissimo  J  OH  AN  ?i  I  Stanford,  ^W^wm  Magis- 

tro,  Theologies  Doctor iy  hominumque  cwiico,  cum  diffi- 

dentia,  dedicatum  est, 

*'  Si  liceat,  me  miserum,  in  carcere  clausum,  et 
ignominia  circumtectum,  te  salutare ;  memor  anni 
prsDteritij  multorumque  tuorum  laborum  ad  illumin- 


152  THE  TRANSLATION. 

andas  nostrum  mentes  imperitas,  tibi  bcneficia  divina 
rogo.  Tui  conatus,  in  consolandis  moercntibus,  tra- 
hendisquc  animis  ad  peccantium  Servatorem,  gratias 
poscunt.  Non  mihi  verba  sunt,  quibus  mentis  mei 
cogitata  enuntiare.  Non  blanditias,  sed  verum  loquor. 
Est  tibi  suavitas  in  modo  loquendi,  quae  miserimos 
solatur,  et  benignitatem  dicentis  perspicuc  indicat. 
Dum  corpus  dolore  languescit,  animum  cum  evangelii 
alimento  nutris. 

"  Ut  cera  dura  igne  calefaciatur,  ita  tuis  sernioni- 
bus  corda  obstinata  ad  accipienda  veritatis  divinse 
vestigia  parantur;  atque,  dum  mens  in  dubio  errat, 
viam,  ad  felicitatem  ceternam  monstras. 

"  Pro  tuis  officiis  benignis,  quibus  sa?pissime  politi 
sumus,  prosperitatem  tuam,  hoc  anno  novo  augeri, 
setatemque  longam  in  terris  te  conterere,  precor;  at- 
que, quando  vitam  mortalem  relinquas,  Deus  ad  su- 
peros  te  accipiat;  ibi,  adjunctus  beatis,  Dei  Agnique 
laudes  in  eeternum  moduiare. 

*'  Ita  precatur, 

"  o —  p — ." 
"  Januarii  p'imo  die^  amioque  Domini  1812."* 

*  To  the  original  paper  tiie  writer  of  the  above  elegant  and  classical 
composition  subjoined  a  note,  by  which  he  altered  a  word  to  avoid  tauto- 
logy. This  circumstance,  trivial  as  it  may  seem,  is  an  additional  evidence 
of  his  critical  scholarship,  and  furnishes  abundant  proof,  that  intellect, 
far  above  mediocrity,  is  required  in  the  man,  who  either  as  a  missionary 
or  stated  preacher,  would  minister  with  acceptance  in  a  state-prison. 

The  following  is  a  translation  of  the  above  letter : — 
'^  A  NEW  YEAR'S  GIFT. 
"■  With  diffidence  addressed  to  the  most  Reverend  John  Stanford,  Master 
of  Arts,  Doctor  of  Divinity,  and  thejriend  of  man* 

"  If  it  be  })roper  for  me,  a  wretch,  confined  in  a  prison,  and  clothed  with 
disgrace,  to  greet  you;  contemplating  the  events  of  the  past  year,  and 
your  numerous  endeavours  to  instruct  our  ignorant  minds,  I  wish  you 
the  blessings  of  heaven.  Your  labours  in  consoling  the  wretched,  and 
drawing  souls  to  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  demand  our  thanks,  I  have  not 
words  whereby  I  can  express  the  feelings  of  my  heart.  Not  flattery,  but 
the  truth  I  speak.  There  is  a  suavity  in  your  manner  of  speaking,  which 
gives  comfort  to  the  most  miserable,  and  plahily  indicates  the  humanity 

•  "  1  he  English  reader  will  remember  that  this  is  the  usual  style  of  address,  which 
was  used  among  tlie  polite  Rornans-" 


THE  DEBTORS.  153 

It  was  (luring  this  year  that  Mr.  Stanford  com- 
menced his  labours  of  Christian  benevolence  amongst 
the  unfortunate  inmates  of  the  Dcbtor's-Frison.  Wh.en 
he  was  invited  by  Mr.  Bell,  the  humane  and  generous 
superintendent  of  this  institution,  to  give  tlieni  at  least 
one  sermon  on  each  Sabbath,  his  soul  responded  to 
the  call:  "  Yes,"  said  he,  "  I  will  go,  and  ireeiy  pro- 
claim unto  them  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord! 
What  am  I  but  a  debtor?  a  debtor  to  God's  law,  and 
a  debtor  to  his  grace  !  Let  this  fact  deeply  impress 
my  heart,  Vvhiie  most  cheerfully  I  devote  a  portion  of 
my  time  for  the  religious  benefit  of  these  poor  debtors 
to  man!" 

In  this  good  work  he  was  not  long  permitted  to 
labour  in  vain.  On  the  21st  of  May,  he  was  called  to 
visit  a  poor  dying  prisoner,  to  whom,  according  to  his 
own  account,  the  Lord  had  been  pleased  to  impart 
the  grace  of  life,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Mr. 
Stanford.  Death  had  now  lost  his  terrors,  and  the 
joy  of  God's  salvation  supported  his  soul  in  prospect 
of  eternity.  He  said: — "  I  would  not  part  with  my 
hope  in  Christ,  for  all  the  gold  in  the  world  !"  And 
having  uttered  this  triumphant  declaration,  he  fell 
fisleep,  to  wake  no  more  until  the  archangel's  trump 
shall  call  the  slumbering  dead. 

In  the  month  of  July,  Mr.  Stanford  received  a 
communication  from  the  Board  of  Inspectors  of  the 


of  the  speaker;  while  the  body  languishes  through  grief,  you  nourish 
the  soul  with  gospel  food. 

"  As  hard  wax  is  rendered  soft  by  fire,  so  by  your  discourses  stubborn 
hearts  are  prepared  to  receive  the  impressions  of  divine  truth  ;  and  while 
the  mind  wanders  in  error,  you  point  out  the  way  which  leads  to  eternal 
happiness. 

"  For  your  kind  services,  with  which  we  have  so  frequently  been 
favoured,  I  pray  that  your  prosperity  may  be  increased  this  year;  that 
you  may  live  long  here  below  ;  and  when  you  quit  this  mortal  life,  may 
God  receive  you  to  the  mansions  above,  where,  joined  with  the  saints, 
^ou  may  for  ever  exalt  the  praises  of  God  and  the  Lamb. 

*'  Thus  prays, 

"  O-^ —  P ." 


154  SERVICES  UNREWADED. 

State-Prison,  in  which  they  expressed  their  thanks 
for  his  services  to  that  institution,  and  requested  the 
continuance  of  them. 

It  is  due  to  Mr.  Stanford  to  say,  as  to  the  pecuniary 
compensation  which  he  received  for  services  in  the 
pubUc  institutions  of  this  city,  that  it  was  the  plea- 
sure of  atteni[)ting,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  do 
good  to  the  souls  of  men,  and  not  the  hope  of  emolu- 
ment, which  induced  him  to  persevere  in  this  labori- 
ous work. 

That  Mr.  Stanford  was  influenced  by  no  sinister 
motives,  is  too  obvious  to  admit  of  a  doubt.  More 
than  tv/enty  years  did  this  faithful  minister  of  Christ 
render  his  services,  without  an  adequate  compensa- 
tion, and  under  almost  every  variety  of  discourage- 
ment. The  scorching  beams  of  noon,  and  the  chilling 
winds  of  night,  were  alike  unheeded ;  neither  tho 
ingratitude  and  v/ickedness  of  many  of  those  for 
whose  salvation  he  toiled  and  prayed,  nor  the  growling 
infirmites  of  old  age,  prevented  him  from  attending 
to  their  spiritual  wants.  Such  unwearied  diligence 
is  generally  rev/arded  with  an  equivalent;  but  it  was 
otherwise  in  the  present  case.  The  average  amount 
of  his  compensation,  during  the  above  mentioned 
period,  never  exceeded  five  hundred  dollars  per  an- 
num ;  and  at  the  time  when  his  engagements  with 
*'  The  Society  for  the  Support  of  the  Gospel  among 
the  Poor  in  the  City  of  New- York"  terminated,  by  its 
ceasing  to  exist,  the  institution  owed  him  more  than 
eighteen  hundred  dollars — not  one  dollar  of  which  has 
ever  been  paid. 

His  diary  for  this  year  shows  an  average  of  seven 
sermons  preached  each  week,  which,  if  considered  in 
connection  with  the  extraordinary  amount  and  variety 
of  his  other  services,  will  leave  him  no  superiors,  and 
but  few^,  if  any,  equals,  in  modern  times. 

After  his  usual  private  devotions,  and  "  renewing 
his  covenant  with  God,"  (which  w^as  his  custom  at  the 


MAGDALEN-ASYLUM.  155 

commencement  of  each  year,)  Mr.  Stanford  began  his 
labours  for  1813  by  preaching  a  discourse  to  the 
Bethel  Baptist  Church,  from  Psalm  xxxi.  14 — ^^  My 
times  are  in  thy  hancL''''  Whether  his  choice  of  this 
text  was  by  the  special  direction  of  heaven,  or  not,  we 
are  unable  to  determine;  but  this  year  was  attended 
with  many  important  changes,  which  seem  to  consti- 
tute an  important  era  in  the  history  of  his  useful 
life. 

In  the  events  which  follow,  we  see  the  unfoldings 
of  that  mysterious  Providence,  which  constrained  him 
to  remain  in  New- York,  notwithstanding  repeated 
solicitations  to  take  the  pastoral  charge  of  distant 
and  wealthy  congregations.  The  duties  evidently 
assigned  to  him  by  the  Lord  this  year,  as  to  import- 
ance, extent,  and  variety,  have  seldom  if  ever  de- 
volved upon  any  one  person. 

January  7th.  This  day  Mr.  Stanford  received  an 
application  from  a  society,  recently  established,  for 
preaching  the  gospel  to  the  poor  in  the  City-Hospital, 
and  in  the  Aims-House,  requesting  him  to  relinquish 
his  academy,  and  devote  himself  wholly  to  those  insti- 
tutions, in  connection  with  the  State-Prison,  Debtor's- 
Prison,  <fec.  «fcc.  This  being  a  subject  of  great  im- 
portance, he  recjuested  time  to  seek  direction  from 
the  Lord. 

A  Magdalen-House  having  been  established  at 
Greenwich,  Mr.  Stanford  was  solicited  to  preach  to 
the  unfortunate  females,  with  which  he  cheerfully 
complied,  in  the  presence  of  a  number  of  the  mana- 
gers, both  ladies  and  gentlemen.  His  sermon  vs^as 
from  1  Timothy  i.  15 — "  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
loorld  to  save  sinners.'*''  During  the  several  years 
continuance  of  this  establishment,  he  regularly  and 
gratuitously  preached  the  gospel  to  the  inmates,  every 
Wednesday. 

February  3d.  While  taking  his  rounds  in  the 
State-Prison  hospital,  he  found  four  prisoners  under 


15G  CONVERSION  or  J.  \y.  c. 

very  serious  impressions  of  mind.  They  appeared  to 
have  a  deep  s(>,nse  of  tlie  siiii'nlness  of  their  hearts, 
and  their  need  of  mercy  from  the  Lord  Jesus.  Their 
subsequent  conduct  afforded  strong  reasons  to  hope 
that  they  had  been  made  partakers  of  divine  grace. 

Conversion  of  J.  W.  C ,  a  convict  in  the  New- 
York  State-Prison. 

3Ir.  Stanford  says,  "  This  man  had  been  confined 
to  his  bed  a  considerable  time.  I  had  repeatedly 
spoken  to  him,  but  he  appeared  indifferent  to  conver- 
sation. However,  about  a  month  ago  I  told  him  how 
much  I  myself  stood  in  need  of  mercy  from  the  Lord, 
the  friend  of  sinners.  This  seemed  to  aw^aken  his 
attention,  and  he  said — '  Sir,  if  you  need  such  mercy, 
how  much  more  do  I  need  it  .^' 

"  February  3d.  He  appeared  more  sensible  of  his 
guilty  state,  and  asked  me  several  questions  on  the 
subject  of  salvation,  v/hich  1  endeavoured  to  answer 
in  a})plication  to  himself.  I  left  him  apparently  seek- 
ing the  Lord. 

"  February  10th.  He  wished  to  ask  me  a  few 
questions.  The  principal  one  was  this — '  Whether  a 
man,  enjoying  the  pardon  of  his  sins,  by  the  blood  of 
Christ,  and  a  hope  for  heaven,  could  afterwards 
perish f'  1  replied.  No;  admitting  that  the  man  did 
really  possess  them.  For  God's  w^ork  is  perfect ;  he 
never  did  deceive  the  good  hope  of  any  soul;  but  the 
hope  of  the  hypocrite,  that  shall  perish.  A  person 
merely  professing  these  things,  might,  and  would, 
sooner  or  later,  by  temptation,  abandon  them,  and 
pursue  a  course  of  evil.  He  answered,  *  I  have  been 
much  troubled  on  these  subjects,  but  I  now  see  that 
God  must  save  from  first  to  last,  or  it  would  be  no 
salvation  at  all.'  I  then  stated  to  him  the  importance 
of  praying  for  the  teaching  of  the  Haly  Spirit  to 
direct  his  mind,  and  reveal  salvation  to  his  heart. 
God  has  promised  his  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him. 


CONVERSION  OF  J.  W.  C.  157 

"  February  21st.  When  I  approached  his  bed,  and 
inquired  after  the  state  of  his  heaUh,  he  turned  his 
now  serene  countenance  towards  me,  and  said,  '  lam 
well,  and  my  mind  is  reUeved.  Since  Friday  evening 
I  have  enjoyed  that  peace  and  comfort  which  I  never 
knew  before.  I  vnsh  all  my  fellow-prisoners  felt  the 
same.  O,  Sir,  I  longed  for  your  visit,  that  I  might 
tell  you  of  the  relief  I  feel.  I  hope  T  can  say,  God 
is  my  salvation  ;  I  can  give  him  my  body  and  my 
soul,  as  the  objects  of  his  merciful  care,  whether  he 
permit  me  to  live,  or  send  death  to  take  me  away. 
I  hope  to  praise  him  in  heaven  for  all  his  mercies  to 
me,  a  poor  miserable  sinner,' 

"  March  3d.  '  I  continue  to  enjoy  much  peace,'  he 
remarked,  '  and  look  to  the  Lord  to  keep  me.  I 
know  I  cannot  keep  myself — my  health  is  better,  but 
I  give  my  body  and  spirit  to  the  Lord,  that  I  may  be 
his  for  ever.     This  is  the  only  desire  of  my  heart.' 

*'  March  7th.  He  appeared  not  so  cheerful ;  yet 
he  said,  '  I  know  the  Lord  has  done  much  for  me,  and 
I  cannot  but  praise  him.  I  am  anxious  for  every  man 
here.  I  pray  God  to  convince  them  of  sin,  and  lead 
them  to  the  Saviour*' 

"  Soon  after  this  he  so  far  recovered,  that  he 
went  into  the  workshop,  under  an  impression  that  a 
change  of  air  and  moderate  exercise  might  contribute 
to  restore  his  health.  In  this  situation  he  continued 
for  about  nine  months,  during  which  I  had  frequent 
conversations  with  him.  Eventually  his  constitution 
gave  way,  and  he  returned  to  the  hospital.  It  soon 
became  evident  that  he  could  live  but  a  very  short 
time.  On  my  entering  the  room  I  found  him  much 
engaged  with  God  for  the  experience  of  more  grace, 
that  he  might  be  assured  of  an  interest  in  the  Re- 
deemer. The  nature  of  such  assurance  I  endea- 
voured to  explain  to  him  from  the  word  of  God,  and 
encouraged  him  still  to  hope  and  pray  for  the  blessing* 
When  I  was  about  to  pray  with  him,  he  said,  *  Sir, 

14 


158  HAPPY  DEATH  OF  J.  W.  C 

^o  not  pray  for  tlic  life  of  my  body,  but  pray  for  the 
life  of  my  soul.'  After  prayer  he  expressed  his  fear 
that  he  might  die  before  1  visited  him  ago  in  ;  but 
assuring  him  that  in  case  he  shouhl  be  worse,  1  would 
make  liim  a  special  visit,  lie  expressed  his  warmest 
gratitude. 

*'  September  19th.  While  at  the  City-Hospital  the 
carriage  was  sent  for  me,  to  attend  this  man.  I 
proposed  to  him  several  questions.  The  following  is 
the  substance  of  his  answers  : — '  I  have  been  a  great 
transgressor  against  a  just  God  all  my  days — I  have 
no  hope  for  another  world,  but  from  the  atoning 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God — I  have  not  now  that  peace 
and  comfort  I  had  some  time  ago — 1  want  to  feel 
God's  love  in  my  heart — Though  I  am  so  uncomfort- 
able in  my  mind,  I  cannot,  and  by  his  grace  helping 
me,  I  will  not  give  up  looking  to  Christ  Jesus  as  the 
only  Saviour-— I  leave  the  time  of  my  death  to  the 
Lord ;  I  wish  his  will  to  be  done,  and  not  my  own — 

0  Lord,  speak  peace  to  my  soul,  I  want  nothing 
else.' 

*'  September  21st.  He  said,  '  Since  you  were  here 
last,  I  think  I  have  had  some  relief  in  my  heart.  I 
now  know  that  the  peace,  comfort,  and  hope  which 

1  enjoyed  some  time  ago,  were  not  imaginary ;  and  I 
believe  that  God  will  give  rne  assured  peace  again 
before  I  die,  for  he  is  faithful.'  This  day  1  visited 
him  three  times,  and  he  very  affectionately  took  leave 
of  me  in  such  terms  as  delicacy  forbids  me  to  record. 
He  died  shortly  after  my  departure,  rejoicing  in 
Christ." 

After  Mr.  Stanford  had  closed  his  sermon  in  hall 
No.  5,  one  of  the  state  prisoners,  formerly  a  lawyer 

in ,  familiarly  called  "  Ned  Craig,"  was  at  his 

own  particular  request,  permitted  to  propound  a  doc- 
trinal question  to  the  preacher.  Among  the  indivi- 
duals present,  were  several  prisoners  who  formerly 


SATAN  AND  NED  CRAIG  VANQUISHED.  159 

ranked  high  in  the  learned  yjrofessions,  and  one  who 
had  occupied  the  chair  of  professor  of  languages  in  a 
university. 

"  Pray,"  said  he,  "  how  can  you  reconcile  the 
general  invitations  of  the  gospel  with  the  doctrine  of 
a  particular  election?" 

Mr.  Stanford,  turning  to  those  present,  replied — 
"  These  gentlemen  know,  that  it  is  not  customary  to 
teach  children  abstruse  doctrines  in  any  science,  until 
they  have  first  learned  their  grammar.  I  am  no 
polemic,  and  preach  to  you  the  plain  gospel ;  but  you 
must  learn  the  A.  B.  C.  of  divinity,  before  I  shall  at- 
tempt to  explain  the  subject  of  your  inquiry." 

This  pungent  reply  to  an  impertinent  question, 
propounded  not  with  a  view  to  improvement,  but  for 
the  purpose  of  embarrassing  the  preacher,  afforded 
great  satisfaction  to  the  other  prisoners ;  and  one  of 
them  wrote  the  following  lines  on  the  subject. 

"  GOSPEL  DOCTRINE  TRIUMPHANT; 

OR 
"  SATAN  AND  NED  CRAIG  VANQUISHED. 

"  While  Stanford  preach'd  the  gospel  pare, 
Which  does  to  Christ  our  hearts  allure, 
The  Devil  felt  it  such  a  plague, 
He  enter'd  into  poor  Ned  Craig. 

''  Poor  Neddy,  prompt  with  helUsh  pride, 
And  ignorance  too,  in  rolling  tide. 
With  meagre  looks,  and  visage  thin, 
Satan  without,  and  hell  within, 

"  Advanc'd  towards  the  sacred  desk, 
(Ignorance  and  pride  were  all  his  risk,) 
And  did  our  parson  there  attack. 
With  Satan's  message,  Neddy's  clack, 

"  The  parson  answer'd,  all  discreet. 
That  he  polemics  did  not  meet. 
And  wish'd  poor  Ned  to  stop  his  clamour, 
And  study  close  the  school-boy's  grammar. 


160  BRIDEWELL. 

'•  Our  rev'rend  parson  did  o'erthrow 
Satan  and  Neddy,  tlius  in  Co. : 
And  thus  to  Satan  and  Ned  Craig, 
Christ's  doctrine  is  an  endless  plague. 

"  Poor  Ned,  sans  sense,  sans  gospel  light, 
Loaded  by  Satan,  challenged  fight 
With  him  who's  fill'd  with  gospel  lore, 
And  riches,  an  eternal  store. 

•'  Good  Stanford's  doctrines  he  can't  shock  j 
They're  built  on  an  Eternal  Rock ; 
But  Neddy's  are  but  hay  and  stubble, 
Just  like  himself — old  Satan's  bubble. 

"  O,  Lucifer!  receive  your  son! 
You've  loaded  him  as  your  pop-gun, 
And  now  you're  out  of  ammunition, 
You're  both  consign'd  vmto  perdition !" 

In  the  month  of  March  Mr.  Stanford  wrote  an 
address  to  the  rehgious  part  of  our  citizens,  on  "The 
Importance  of  Social  Prayer,  under  the  present 
Calamity  of  War,"  which  was  published  in  several  of 
the  newspapers,  and  afterwards,  in  the  form  of  a 
tract. 

On  the  58th  of  this  month  he  preached  his  first 
sermon  in  the  Bridew^ell,  from  Acts  xiv.  7 — "  There 
they  preached  the  gosjyel.^''  The  unhappy  females  are 
said  to  have  conducted  with  much  propriety,  and 
some  of  them  were  observed  to  be  in  tears. 

Wednesday,  April  6th,  Mr.  Stanford  visited  the 
State-Prison  hospital,  where  he  observed  a  man  at 
the  end  of  one  of  the  rooms  sitting  up  in  his  bed  and 
beckoning  to  him.  On  approaching  the  unhappy 
creature,  he  burst  into  tears,  and  entreated  the  mi- 
nister of  God  to  pray  with  liim.  His  subsequent 
conversation  made  it  very  evident  that  he  was  earn- 
estly seeking  the  Lord,  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul. 

The  evening  of  this  day  was  spent  in  the  Baptist 
church  in  Vandam-street,  where  Mr.  S«  delivered  a 


COxWEKSION  OF  R.  161 

solemn  and  impressive  charge  to  tlie  minister  elect, 
and  to  the  congregation  present,  at  the  ordination  of 
the  Kev.  Mr.  Hastings. 

The  day  following  Mr.  Stanford  was  taken  very 
ill,  and  continued  under  medical  treatment  for  several 
days.  In  the  meantime  the  prisoner  before  men- 
tioned died  of  a  malignant  fever.  "  This  occurrence," 
says  Mr.  S.  "  deeply  impressed  my  mind  with  the 
importance  of  setting  the  Lord  always  before  me; 
that  amid  the  imminent  dangers  to  which  I  am  daily 
exposed  in  my  visits  to  the  sick  and  the  dying,  1  may 
myself  be  prepared  to  meet  my  Saviour,  whether  he 
come  in  the  evening,  at  midnight,  or  in  the  morning." 

The  conversion  of  R . 


"  When,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  "  I  first  visited  him, 
I  was  much  surprised  to  find  he  was  so  seriously  dis- 
posed. He  said,  '  I  have  but  one  desire  in  this  world, 
and  that  is,  that  I  may  have  an  interest  in  Christ,  as 
my  Saviour  and  my  friend.  O,  Sir,  I  vv^ish  you  would 
inform  me  how  I  may  obtain  and  know  that  I  have 
indeed  received  this  inestimable  blessing.'  I  ex- 
plained to  him  this  text — ^'  Hereby  im  know  that  he 
dwelleth  in  us,  and  ive  in  him,  by  his  Spirit,  U'hich  he 
hath  given  unto  us,^  1  also  explained  to  him  the  office 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  convince  the  sinner  of  his  need 
of  Christ,  and  then  to  reveal  him  to  the  contrite  in 
heart,  and  to  speak  pardon  and  peace.  He  thanked 
me,  and  earnestly  begged  my  prayers,  that  he  might 
obtain  mercy  through  Christ. 

^'  The  next  time  1  visited  him  he  was  very  low,  all 
he  could  say  was,  '  I  am  constant  in  prayer ;  I  want 
to  know  that  the  Saviour  is  mine,  and  that  I  have  an 
interest  in  his  death,  and  then  my  death  will  be  easy 
and  happy.' 

"  A  few  days  after  this  I  asked  him,  if  God  had 
revealed  his  mercy  to  him.  He  said,  '  O  yes,  Sir,  I 
now  think  I  have  a  knowledge  of  that   interest  in 

14* 


162  A  PRISONER  IN  CHAINS. 

Christ  which  I  wanted.'  His  tears  appeared  to  be 
those  of  joy. 

"  When  1  visited  him  for  the  last  time,  lie  was  only 
able  to  utter  the  following  short  sentence : — '  I  have 
an  interest  and  peace  in  Christ.' 

"  A  prisoner  (a  French  Roman  Catholic,)  in  the 
opposite  bed,  was  also  very  low.  With  this  man  1 
had  conversed  several  times,  and  he  appeared  very 
thoughtful  about  a  future  state.  Last  week  31r. 
Roome  asked  this  man  if  he  wished  to  see  his  j)riest. 
He  said,  '  No  ;  Mr,  Stanford  has  told  me  all  I  want  to 
know.' 

"  About  an  hour  before  R died,  the  power  of 

speech  returned,  and  he  spoke  so  loud  that  he  could 
be  heard  in  every  part  of  the  hospital.  He  possessed 
great  composure  of  mind,  and  departed  rejoicing  iu 
the  Saviour." 

The  following  lines  were  composed  by  a  convict 
in  the  State-Prison,  on  beholding  a  prisoner  entering 
the  middle  hall  in  chains  : — 

'•  Ah !  mournful  wretch,  thy  sad  unhappy  fate, 
Draws  from  my  eyes  the  briny  pitying  tear : 
Thy  clanking  irons  do  thy  case  relate, 

While  keen  sensations  thou  art  dooni'd  to  bear. 

"  I  ask  not  from  what  source  thy  troubles  rose, 
Nor  the  recital  of  thy  tale  of  grief; 
I  look  at  mine,  as  well  as  others  woes. 
And  give  my  all — a  tear  for  their  relief. 

*'  If  tears  could  wash  the  stain  of  sin  away, 
And  cancel  all  my  fellow  pris'ners  guilt, 
I'd  weep  from  morn  to  eve,  from  eve  'till  morn; 
Nor  cease  'till  every  trembling  drop  was  spilt. 

*'  But  fill  in  vain  the  tear  for  thee  might  flow, 

Nought  can  avail  to  sooth  the  sorrowing  heart ; 
No  joys  or  pleasures  now  our  bosoms  know. 
With  a,ll  that's  social  we  are  call'd  to  part. 


HIS  FIELD  OF  LABOUR  ENLARGED.  163 

"  Yet  may  we  all  submissive  be,  aud  trust 

To  HiJi  who  hears  the  mourning  pris'ner's  sighs  ; 
And  well  remember,  He  is  ever  just. 

And  lends  a  list'ning  ear  to  all  their  cries. 

.'  J p .' 


The  services  of  Mr.  Stanford  in  the  State-Prison 
were  not  only  gratuitous,  but  without  any  distinct 
appointment  until  the  year  (1812,)  when  the  legis- 
lature of  this  state  passed  an  act  for  providing  a 
chaplain  to  perforin  religious  services  in  the  State- 
Prison.  Immediately  after  the  passage  of  this  law, 
Mr.  Stanford  was  unanimously  elected  to  that  office 
by  the  Board  of  Inspectors,  and  continued  as  the  able 
and  indefatigable  minister  of  Christ  in  that  institu- 
tion, until  its  removal  from  this  city  to  Sing-Sing, 
in  1828. 

Having  sought  the  guidance  of  the  Lord,  by  con- 
tinued prayer  for  direction,  on  the  subject  of  an  in- 
vitation from  a  society  of  gentlemen,  to  relinquish 
his  academy,  and  take  upon  himself  the  ministerial 
charge  of  the  City-Hospital  and  Alms-Housc,  Mr* 
Stanford,  on  the  20th  of  June,  1813,  resolved,  in  de- 
pendence upon  the  grace  of  God,  and  with  the  advice 
of  some  his  most  pious  and  judicious  friends,  to  relin- 
quish his  academy,  which  aiforded  him  a  competent 
support,  and  devote  himself  to  the  Lord  in  this  im- 
portant work  ;  at  the  same  time,  resolving  to  become 
a  missionary  of  the  cross  to  the  poor  and  miserable  of 
the  city,  wherever  he  might  find  them;  on  the  30th 
of  the  same  month,  therefore,  he  relinquished  his 
academial  engagements,  after  having  been  in  this 
employment  nearly  thirty-six  years.  A  transition  so 
remarkable,  at  his  advanced  age,  could  not  fail  to 
excite  emotions,  which  language  was  too  feeble  to 
express,  and  which  nothing  but  a  strong  sense  of 
duty  could  have  enabled  him  to  overcome.  Never^ 
theless,  his  accustomed  and  holy  submission,  under  all 
the  changing  scenes  of  life,  assisted  him  to  accommq- 


164        A  STRANGER  ON   THE  EARTH. 

date    his    feelings    to    the    varying   dispensations   of 
heaven. 

We  have  often  contemplated  Mr.  Stanford  with 
admiration,  as  "  a  stranger  on  the  earth,"  not  only 
with  respect  to  his  transient  condition,  but  in  the  dis- 
jiosition  of  his  mind.  As  to  the  vanities  of  this  world, 
and  all  unfounded  hopes  of  changeless  bliss  below 
the  skies,  he  appeared  to  us  like  the  royal  David, 
whose  soul  was  "  even  as  a  weaned  cliild,''^  Did  the 
Almighty,  in  his  inscrutable  providence,  tear  from 
him  the  wife  of  his  youth  ?  Have  his  children  fallen 
one  after  another,  by  the  stroke  of  death?  Like 
Aaron,  he  "  held  his  peace.''''  "  /  was  dumb,''''  says  the 
psalmist,  "  and  opened  not  my  mouthy  because  thou  didst 
iiJ'^  Yes,  he  has  been  seen,  like  Job,  standing  upon 
the  ruins  of  temporal  prosperity,  and  exclaiming — 
*'  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away ; 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.''^ 

/•  My  times  of  sorrow  and  of  joy 
Great  God,  are  in  thy  hand ; 
My  choicest  comforts  come  from  thee, 
And  go  at  thy  command. 

"  If  thou  shouldst  take  them  all  away, 
Yet  would  I  not  repine ; 
Before  they  were  possess'd  by  me, 
They  were  entirely  thine. 

"  Nor  would  I  drop  a  murm'ring  word. 
Though  the  whole  world  were  gone ; 
But  seek  enduring  happiness 
In  Thee,  and  Thee  alone  !" 

O  how  necessary  to  the  enjoyment  of  true  happiness 
is  a  humble  spirit  of  submission  to  the  will  of  God! 
In  the  ignorance  and  pride  of  our  hearts  we  are  prone 
to  misjudge  the  mysterious  dispensations  of  heaven. 
*'  A  Providence  occurs,"  says  an  able  writer,  "  it 
strikes  us,  we  endeavour  to  explain  it — but  are  we 
certeiin  that  we  have  seized  the  true  meaning  ?    Per* 


ZENO  AiND  J5ENECA.  165 

haps  what  we  take  as  an  en  J,  may  be  only  the  way  ; 
what  we  take  as  the  whole,  may  he  only  a  part ;  what 
we  depreciite,  may  be  a  blessing;  and  what  we  most 
earnestly  pray  for,  may  prove  to  be  a  curse ;  what 
appears  confusion,  may  be  tlie  tendencies  of  order  ; 
what  looks  like  the  disasters  of  Providence,  may  be 
the  preparation  of  its  triumph." 

It  is  related  of  Zeno,  that  wlien,  by  a  shipwreck, 
he  was  deprived  of  all  his  wealth,  he  openly  declared, 
that  he  considered  it  to  be  the  best  voyage  he  had 
ever  made,  because  the  loss  of  his  money  iiad  driven 
him  to  "the  study  of  virtue  and  p-hilosopiiv/'  What 
then  must  be  the  advantage  of  those  temporary  losses 
and  afflictions,  the  tendency  of  which  is,  to  vrcan  the 
Christian  from  the  love  of  this  present  evil  world,  and 
compel  him  to  "  seek  those  things  which  are  above, 
where  Christ  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God." 

"  1  only  want  to  know  your  will,"  said  Seneca, 
when  speaking  to  God,  "  as  soon  as  I  know  what  that 
is,  I  am  always  of  the  same  mind.  I  do  not  say  you 
have  taken  from  me,  that  looks  as  if  I  were  unwilling; 
but  that  you  have  accepted  from  me,  that  which  I  am 
ready  to  offer."  As  Christians,  let  us  not  only  emu- 
late, but  endeavour  to  excel  these  noble-minded  hea- 
then, under  the  ordinary  changes  and  calamities  of 
life. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

HE  COMME.VCES    HIS    CHAPLAINCY    IN    THE    CITY-IIOSPITaL 

LABOURS    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES    MILITARY-HOSPITAL 

PUBLISHES  A  CATECHISM VARIOUS  SERVICES  TO   THE  END 

OF  1814. 

July  1st.  Lord's  day.  At  eight  o'clock  this  morning, 
Mr.  Stanford  preached  his  first  sermon,  as  the  re- 
gularly appointed  chaplain,  in  the  City-Hospital,  from 
Psalm  xli.  3 — "  The  Lord  lolll  strengthen  him.  upon 
the  bed  of  languishing :  thou  ivilt  make  all  his  bed  in  his 
sickness,''''  Blind  George,  from  the  Alms-Hoiise,  con- 
ducted the  sinoinof  with  his  accustomed  animation. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Tuesday  following,  he 
visited  the  institution,  conversing  and  praying  with 
the  patients  in  ticelve  of  the  wards,  as  their  cases 
appeared  to  require.  After  returning  home,  ho 
made  this  note  in  his  diary: — "  O  my  Heavenly 
Father,  how  great  the  tenderness,  compassion,  and 
faithfulness,  which  will  be  required  to  perform  such 
visits  with  propriety  and  success :  all  my  hope  is  in 
the  Lord!" 

The  following  quotation  from  his  diary,  presents 
another  instance  of  the  laborious  services  of  Mr. 
Stanford  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  worthy  of  that 
good  cause  to  which  he  had  devoted  the  energies  of 
his  useful  life.  It  is  due  to  his  memory  to  say,  that 
this  is  not  selected  as  an  uncommon  instance  of  his 
untiring  zeal,  but  rather  as  a  specimen  of  what  fre- 
quently occurred  in  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial 
duties. 

"  Lord's  day.  Morning,  at  half  past  eight,  preached 
in  the  City-Hospital,  and  afterwards  prayed  with  a 
sick  patient.     Preached  in  the  State-Prison  chapel  at 


MILITARY  HOSPITAL.  167 

ten  o'clock,  and  visited  the  sick  in  the  j)rison  hospital 
al  noon.  Preached  again  to  the  prisoners  in  the 
afternoon,  and  immediately  walked  to  the  Magdalen- 
Honse,  and  preached  another  sermon,  and  in  the 
evening  preached  in  the  Aims-House.  The  Lord 
graciously  assisted  me  this  day  in  these  Jive  sermons, 
and  other  duties;  and  as  the  heat  icas  at  ciglity-scvcn, 
I  am  the  more  thankful  for  his  aid,  and  hope  a  bless- 
ing will  succeed  my  feeble  efforts." 

On  the  following  Thursday,  after  performing  an 
ecpial  amount  of  ministerial  labour,  he  walked  to  the 
United  States  Military-Hospital,  about  half  a  mile 
from  the  prison,  where  he  was  kindly  received  by 
Mr.  Jones,  the  superintendent,  and  spent  some  time 
in  conversing  and  praying  with  the  sick  and  dying. 
Mr.  Jones  informed  liim  that  no  minister  had  ever 
visited  the  patients  before,  and  earnestly  entreated 
him  to  become  their  spiritual  guide.  With  this  request 
he  promised  to  comply  as  far  as  practicable.  After 
leaving  the  Military  Hos])ital,  he  closed  the  day  by 
performing  divine  service  in  the  Magdalen-House. 

Friday,  the  12th  of  July,  Mr.  Stanford  again  visited 
the  City-Hospital,  where  he  found  a  poor  sufferer  who 
had  been  shot  through  the  body,  and  had  severaj 
pieces  of  his  ribs  extracted  through  the  orifice  of  the 
wound.  His  mind,  however,  was  very  tranquil,  and 
looking  for  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  In  another 
ward  lay  a  man  who  had  fallen  from  the  top  of  a 
main-mast  to  the  deck;  his  arms  were  both  broken, 
and  his  eye  and  jaw  most  dreadfully  injured.  With 
this  man,  Mr.  Stanford  had  an  interesting  conversa- 
tion, as  also  with  two  of  his  shipmates  then  present, 
who  had  witnessed  the  accident,  and  recited  to  him 
the  attending  circumstances.  While  he  was  speaking 
to  the  patient  of  the  s])aring  mercy  of  God  to  him, 
and  showing  how  great  was  that  love  which  pre- 
vented his  being  dashed  into  an  awful  eternity,  his 
companions  appeared  much  affected,  even  unto  tears. 


iOS 


GllATErUL  SAILORSi 


There  is  perhaps  no  other  spectacle  upon  the  earth 
more  intereh^ting  than  to  seethe  hardy  sons  of'the  ocean 
melting  and  \vccpini>'  under  the  sound  of  a  preached 
go.^pcl.  They  have  heard,  unmoved,  the  foaming  bil- 
lows roar,  and  the  maddening  battle  thunder  has 
failed  to  alarm  them.  But  the  voice  of  mercy  pos- 
sesses an  energy,  which  mere  human  bravery  has  no 
ability  to  resist.  To  these  men,  as  well  as  to  the  sick, 
Mr.  Stanford  stated  the  necessity  of  an  interest  in 
the  pardoning  blood,  and  renewing  grace  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  to  prepare  them  for  death  and  eternity.  When 
it  was  proposed  to  return  thanks  to  God  for  preserv- 
ing the  life  of  their  friend,  they  expressed  their  ap- 
probation in  a  singularly  pleasing  manner;  after 
which,  with  all  the  frankness  of  warm-hearted  sailors, 
they  gave  him  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand,  and  re- 
turned him  their  thanks. 

After  this  interview,  he  accompanied  the  matron, 
for  the  first  time,  to  the  ward  appropriated  for  un- 
fortunate females.  One  young  woman  was  in  a  very 
deplorable  situation,  and  it  was  with  great  difHculty 
he  could  understand  what  she  said,  as  her  criminal 
course  had  nearly  destroyed  the  power  of  speech. 
During  the  conversation,  in  which  Mr.  Stanford  faith- 
fully described  the  dreadful  condition  of  her  soul,  he 
discovered  the  names  of  her  parents,  and  knew  theni 
to  be  people  of  great  respectability.  This  unhappy 
young  woman  had  been  seduced  into  the  paths  of  vice, 
by  one  of  those  monsters  in  human  shape,  who,  under 
tlie  guise  of  afiection  and  flattering  promises,  too  fre- 
quently, alas  !  in  an  unguarded  moment,  succeed  in 
destroying  for  ever  the  virtue  and  the  peace  of  their 
unsuspecting  and  too  confiding  female  victim. 

Thursday,  the  18th,  Mr.  Stanford  visited  eleven 
wards  in  the  Aims-House,  and  conversed  with  a  num- 
ber of  very  sick  and  aged  people.  Nearly  all  of  them 
were  desirous  to  have  worship  performed  in  their 
respective  rooms.     As  far  as  possible  to  gratify  thi« 


A  MAGDALEN  RECLAIMED.  169 

wish  df  the  aged  and  infirm,  he  made  arrangements 
to' continue  the  Lord's  day  evening  lectures,  alter- 
nately in  the  two  lower  wards,  adjoining  the  hall;  and 
on  Tuesday  evening  to  perform  divine  service  in  the 
upper  rooms.  It  may  not  be  improper  to  say,  that 
at  these  services,  especially  on  the  Sabbath  evening, 
a  number  of  respectable  citizens  frequently  attended. 
Blind  George  always  conducted  the  singing ;  for  which 
Mr.  Stanford  allowed  him  a  small  compensation. 

Inscrutable  are  the  ways  of  God— his  judgments 
are  unsearchable.  Mr.  Stanford  had  no  sooner  re- 
turned from  the  Aims-House,  and  sat  down  to  dinner, 
than  he  was  seized  with  a  violent  fever,  which  con- 
fined him  to  his  chamber  for  many  days,  and  left  but 
little  hope  of  his  recovery,  nevertheless,  the  Lord 
delivered  him  from  death.  As  soon  as  he  became 
convalescent,  he  accepted  the  aflfectionate  invitation 
uf  his  tried  friend,  Divie  Bethune,  Esq.  to  spend  a 
few  days  at  his  country-seat.  This  desirable  change 
of  air  proved  highly  beneficial,  and  in  a  short  time  he 
was  again  enabled  to  visit  the  sick  in  the  State-Prison 
hospital.     This  he  was  the  more  anxious  to  do,  that 

he  might  converse  with  J.  R ,  w  ho  had  recently 

become  much  distressed  about  the  concerns  of  his 
soul. 

On  the  following  day,  though  with  great  difHculty-j 
he  walked  to  the  Magdalen-House,  and  conversed 
with  one  of  the  unfortunate  young  women,  who  was 
in  great  distress  of  mind.  This  individual  was,  it  is 
hoped,  subsequently  restored  by  the  Lord  to  the  paths 
of  virtue  and  godliness.  If  so,  O  how  great  the 
satisfaction  which  such  an  event  must  afford  those 
benevolent  individuals  who  originated  the  institution! 

Monday,  the  2d  of  August,  he  thus  remarks: — • 
"  The  public  institutions  not  requiring  the  whole  of 
my  attention  to-day,  I  visited  several,  what  I  call, 
out-door  patients.  One  was  the  widow  of  the  late 
Captain  Dobson,  who  was  blown  up  with  the  vessel 

15 


170  HAPTY  DEATH  OF  J.  l\. 

called  "  The  Little  Teazer."  I  found  Iier,  as  ex- 
pected, almost  ovciwliclnied  with  grief;  but  she  re- 
ceived my  instructions  with  cordiality,  and  earnestly 
requested  a  repetition  of  my  visits." 

Thursday,  the  5th.  In  the  morning  he  performed 
divine  service  in  the  Magdalen-House,  and  in  the 
afternoon,  attended  the  sick  in  the  State-Prison.     J. 

R ,  the  penitent  prisoner  was  very  low,  and  could 

just  say,  so  as  to  be  heard,  *'  My  heart  is  happy, 
trusting  in  my  God."  Mr.  Stanford  prayed  with  him 
for  the  last  time — he  died  that  afternoon,  rejoicing  in 
the  hope  of  eternal  life. 

While  in  the  City-Hospital,  on  the  12th  of  August, 
Mr.  S.  was  requested  to  visit  a  young  man,  who  was 
supposed  to  be  dying.  An  aged  person,  said  to  be  his 
father,  was  sitting  by  his  side,  and  when  Mr.  Stanford 
inquired  of  the  patient  the  state  of  his  mind,  the  old 
man  interrupted  him  by  saying,  "  My  son  does  not 
want  any  one  to  speak  to  him."  To  this  Mr.  S. 
replied,  that  he  came  to  discharge  his  duty  to  the 
i^ick  in  the  hospital.  After  a  few  minutes  of  silence, 
the  father  very  abruptly  replied,  "  I  do  not  believe 
that  God  made  any  of  his  creatures  to  damn  them." 
'*  My  friend,"  said  Mr.  S.  '^  I  do  not  mean  to  enter 
into  controversy  with  you,  but  I  am  fully  persuaded 
that  we  all  have  sin  enough  to  condemn  us.'*  At 
this  the  sick  young  man  twisted  the  corner  of  his 
blanket  round  his  head,  and  refused  to  hear  any  more 
upon  the  subject.  It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that 
the  father  and  son  were  both  confirmed  deists.  In 
another  ward  he  found  a  young  man  approaching 
death,  who  was  very  sensible  of  his  sins,  and  implored 
the  mercy  of  God.  So  true  is  it,  that  God  hath 
*'  mercy  on  whom  he  will  have  mercy,  and  whom  he  will 
he  hardeneth,^^  by  leaving  them  to  follow  their  own 
delusions. 

The  following  Sabbath  he  preached  in  the  morning 
at  eight  o'clock  in  the  City-Hospital,  and  at  half  past 


DREADFUL  CONSEQUENCES  OF  INFIDELITY.     171 

ten  ill  the  State-Prison.  After  sermon  he  visited  two 
men  who  were  chained  to  the  floor,  in  one  of  the 
gloomy  cells  of  the  prison.  One  of  them  appeared 
penitent ;  but  the  other  was  apparently  as  hardened 
as  his  chains.  Before  leaving  this  horrible  place,  he 
faithfully  admonished  the  criminals,  and  having  di- 
rected them  to  the  blood  of  Christ  for  pardon,  he 
closed  the  interview  with  prayer  to  God  for  their 
salvation. 

In  the  afternoon  he  preached,  and  administered 
the  Lord's  supper  to  the  church  in  Mulberry-street, 
and  in  the  evening  he  preached  in  the  Aims-House. 

On  the  17th  of  Ausrust,  Mr.  Stanford  made  the  fol- 
lowing  note  in  his  diary  : — "  This  has  been  my  visiting 
day  at  the  City-Hospital.  Was  informed  by  nurse 
P.  that  the  deistical  young  man  whom  I  visited  a  few 
days  since,  and  who  was  accompanied  by  his  father, 
died  last  night.  She  said,  '  Sir,  he  died  like  a  coward 
at  last,  for  a  little  before  he  departed  he  said,  ^  Idont 
know  but  that  I  have  been  mistaken,  and  that  God  is  now 
going  to  punish  me  for  my  sins.''  Does  not  this  case 
demonstrate,  that  although  men  may  profess  to  be 
deists — reject  the  Bible — and  despise  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  when  danger  is  afar  off,  yet  death  will 
undeceive  them  ?" 

But  why  does  any  man  reject  the  sacred  volume, 
and  dare  to  venture  into  eternity  without  a  guide? 
Is  there  no  sublimity  in  its  style;  no  purity  in  its- 
precepts  ;  no  evidences  of  truth  stamped  upon  the 
pages  of  its  history  ?  Have  patriarchs,  and  prophets, 
and  apostles,  and  martyrs,  laboured,  and  suffered, 
and  died,  under  a  delusion  ?  Were  such  men  as  Sir 
Isaac  Newton,  Milton,  Young,  and  millions  of  the 
wisest  and  best  of  every  age  deceived  ?  Were  they 
incompetent  to  an  enlightened  investigation  of  the 
difficulties  with  which  the  proud  sceptic  imagines 
that  he  finds  revelation  invested  ?  Few  men  can  be 
found  who  will  venture  to  answer  in  the  affirmative. 


172  THE  HATRED  OF  AHAB. 

Why,  then,  do  men  oppose  or  reject  Cliristianity, 
and  hazard  the  tremendous  consequences  of  their 
unreasonable  conduct  ?  Tlie  truth  is,  that  if  the 
Christian  is  rlg-ht,  then  the  infidel  is  wrong;  and  if 
the  Bible,  which  we  believe  to  contain  a  revelation  of 
the  moral  glory  of  God,  does  indeed  establish  its  own 
claim  to  divine  authenticity,  then  eternal  condemna- 
tion must  be  the  result  of  a  life  of  impenitence  and 
sin.  This  the  infidel  secretly  believes  ;  and  hence 
the  necessity  which  lie  perceives,  of  either  repenting, 
and  abandoning  all  his  favourite  vices,  or  of  rejecting 
the  Bible  and  Christianity  as  a  whole.  The  opposi- 
tion of  such  men,  very  much  resembles  the  conduct  of 
the  idolatrous  Ahab,  king  of  Israel,  who  hated  and 
rejected  Micaiah,  the  faithful  prophet  of  the  Lord. 
''^  I  hate  him :  for  he  doth  not  prophecy  good  concerning 
mCy  but  evil.''^     1  Kings  xxii.  8.* 

Friday  morning,  the  27th,  Mr.  Stanford  visited 
several  rooms  in  the  Aims-House.  On  this  occasion 
he  says: — "  I  enjoyed  unusual  satisfaction  in  conver- 


*  A  melancholy  instance  of  inveterate  malignity  against  the  truth  ol" 

Christianity  occurred  in  the  case  of  an  English  nobleman,  Lord  R , 

of  — — .  At  first  he  only  allowed  himself  to  be  absent  from  the  public 
worship  of  God;  then  he  became  a  subscriber  to  the  intidel  publications 
of  the  day,  and  spent  his  Sabbaths  in  reading  them.  The  next  step  Ava« 
to  lay  aside  all  the  restraints  of  early  religious  education  ;  and  in  a  short 
time  he  became  an  avowed  deist.  Nothing  could  now  exceed  the  hos- 
tility which  he  displayed  towards  the  inspired  volume,  and  tlie  followers 
of  Christ.  This  opposition  was  continued  for  several  years,  until  at  lii^t 
tlie  insulted  justice  of  Jehovah  laid  him  upon  his  dying  pillow.  Then, 
like  the  young  man  mentioned  by  Mr  Stanfoi-d,  he  ibund,  alas  !  too  late, 
that  infidelity  has  uo  consolations  adapted  to  tbe  wants  of  the  soul  in  t!ie 
hour  of  dissolution.  When  he  was  told  that  his  time  w^as  short — that  he 
eould  not  survive  the  decline  of  that  day,  his  mind  became  greatly  agitated. 
The  recollection  of  his  blasphemy,  and  opposition  to  Christ,  at  whose  bar 
he  must  soon  appear,  rendered  him  almost  frantic  with  despair.  '•  Go,"' 
said  he  to  a  person  near  his  bed,  '<  go  into  the  library  and  bring  me  that 
accursed  book,  by  which  I  was  first  taught  to  question,  then  to  contra- 
dict, and  then  to  blaspheme  that  holy  volume,  the  revelation  of  the  great 
God,  the  belief  of  which  I  now  find  indispensable  to  the  comfort  and 
salvation  of  my  soul."  The  book  was  no  sooner  put  into  his  hand,  than 
he  tore  it  into  a  thousand  pieces,  and  threw  it  into  the  fire.  In  a  ff  vf 
minutes  after  he  closed  his  eyes,  and  sunk  in  death. 


SOCIETY  OF  THE  UNITED  BRETHREN.  173 

sation  with  a  number  of  very  aged  persons,  who  were 
waiting  for  death,  and  rejoicing  in  hope  of  the  glory 
of  God.  O  how  good  it  is  to  meet  with  such  old 
jewels  of  the  Lord,  amidst  the  rubbish  of  the  world." 
The  annexed  extract  is  very  descriptive  of  the 
character  of  our  departed  friend.  He  was  a  Baptist 
both  in  principle  and  practice;  but  he  was  also  a 
devoted  Christian,  and  availed  himself  of  every  suit- 
able opportunity  to  manifest  his  sincere  attachment 
to  Christians  of  every  evangelical  denomination. 
With  such  it  was  ever  his  delight  to  co-operate,  in 
advancing  the  empire  of  the  ascended  Redeemer. 

"  Extract  from  the  protocol  of  the  thirtieth  general 
meeting  of  the  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  for 
Propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Heathen,  which 
usually  meets  at  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  held  20th 
of  August,  1813. 

"  The  president  mentioned  that  the  Rev.  John 
Stanford,  of  New-York,  a  true  friend  of  the  Brethren, 
who  takes  especially  a  near  share  in  the  progress  of 
our  missions  among  the  heathen,  had  made  known 
to  the  directors,  through  brother  Mortimer,  his  wish 
to  become  a  member  of  this  society;  and,  agreeable 
to  the  uniform  practice  hitherto  in  such  cases,  had 
been  received  by  them  as  an  honorary  member^  (agree- 
able to  the  third  article  of  the  statutes,)  without  first 
consulting  the  society  on  the  subject.  The  members 
present  unanimously  expressed  their  particular  satis- 


faction at  hearing  this. 


"*  BENJAMIN  MORTIMER." 


On  the  following  Tuesday  Mr.  S.  visited  seven 
rooms  in  the  City-Hospital.  In  one  of  them  he 
found  a  lad,  who  had  fallen  from  the  top  of  a 
house,  and  broken  his  thigh,  both  arms,  and  par- 
tially fractured  his  skull.  His  mother  and  three 
brothers,  who  were  Roman  Catholics,  were  at  his  bed- 

15* 


174  LETTER  TO  A.  B.  ESQ. 

side.  Mr.  Stanford  requested  the  nurse  to  shut  the 
door,  that  he  might  engage  in  prayer  ;  but  to  lliis  the 
elder  brother  objected.  Mr.  S.  mildly  informed  him, 
that  as  chaplain  to  the  hospital,  this  was  a  service  with 
which  he  could  not  conscientiously  dispense.  At\er 
prayer,  the  mother  was  absorbed  in  tears,  and  even 
the  brothers  appeared  thankful. 

It  is  a  subject  of  regret,  that  Mr.  Stanford's  diary 
for  the  four  remaining  months  in  the  year,  were 
loaned  to  a  friend  for  his  perusal,  who  soon  after 
^ied,  and  the  manuscript  was  never  recovered;  but 
from  his  text-book  it  apj)ears,  that  he  continued  his 
regular  services  in  the  State-Prison,  City-Hospital, 
Aims-House,  Magdalen-House,  and  the  United  States 
Military-Hospital,  &c. 

During  this  year,  (1813)  he  was  assisted  to  labour 
with  unabated  zeal,  and  at  the  close  of  his  notes  for 
the  year,  he  says: — "  Whatever  good  may  have  been 
done  among  the  poor  people  of  my  charge,  I  ascribe 
all  the  glory  and  praise  to  my  gracious  God  in  Clirist. 
Amen." 

Letter  of  condolence  addressed  to  A*****  B*****, 
Esq.  who  was  greatly  afflicted  by  a  sudden  and  pain- 
ful bereavement. 

'*  DEAR  FRIEND, 

*'  Informed  of  your  domestic  trials,  respect  and 
gratitude  impel  me  to  address  you.  To  resign  so  fine 
a  child  to  the  grave,  after  indulging  the  fondest  hopes 
of  his  eventually  being  the  solace  of  your  advancing 
years,  must  be  extremely  afflicting,  and  calls  for  con- 
solation more  than  mortal  sympathy  can  give. 

"  In  the  midst  of  our  sorrows,  it  is  very  difficult  to 
discern  the  intention  of  the  Almighty;  a  dark  cloud 
covers  the  mind,  and  irritability  often  distracts  the 
frame;  but  afterwards,  like  the  traveller  who  has 
passed  the  desert,  and  gained  the  mountain's  top,  we 


LETTER  TO  A.  B.  ESQ.  175 

can  better  review  the  dreary  path  we  have  trodden, 
and  make  the  necessary  improvements.  1  trust  it 
will  ere  long  be  thus  with  you.  God  has  given  you 
several  precious  children.  The  roses  in  your  garden 
have  already  afforded  you  much  delight.  Had  not 
the  Lord  a  right  to  take  this  little  flower  and  trans- 
plant it  in  heaven?  Be  still,  and  know  that  he  is 
(jiod.  If  he  has  removed  one  flower,  remember  he 
has  spared  others  to  delight  your  heart.  He  lias  an 
indisputable  right  to  the  whole,  and  could  ere  this 
have  caused  their  leaves  to  diop,  and  removed  them 
for  ever  from  your  view.  Nay,  more,  he  could  have 
commanded  death  to  dissolve  the  marriage  band,  and 
have  taken  the  wife  from  the  husband,  and  thus 
swelled  the  tide  of  your  grief.  Or  the  husband  and 
t!ie  father  might  have  been  separated  from  the  mother 
and  her  children,  and  they  left  to  pass  the  remnant 
of  their  days  in  sorrow. 

"  At  this  awful  season  of  pestilence,  into  how  many 
excellent  families  has  not  death  entered !  On  every 
side  we  behold  widows  wringing  their  hands  for  the 
loss  of  their  husbands,  the  staff  of  their  support,  and 
the  solace  of  their  days.  Orphans  mourni^igthe  loss 
of  parents,  in  vain  look  for  some  kind  hand  to  save. 
But  look  around  upon  your  charming  family,  the  ma- 
jority of  whom  are  yet  reserved  to  promote  your  joy  1 

"  May  the  present  stroke  of  death,  which  has  de- 
prived you  of  a  delightful  son,  be  the  means  of  teach- 
ing you  to  enjoy  your  children,  and  all  you  possess, 
'  in  the  Lord.'  Then,  should  Providence  remove  them 
from  your  embraces,  you  will  cheerfully  acquiesce  in 
the  Saviour's  wiil,  who  gave,  and  has  a  right  to  take 
away. 

*'  With  sincere  desires  for  your  personal  and 
«2omestic  felicity, 

*'  I  remain, 

*'  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD." 


176  SCHOOLS  IN  THE  STATE-PRISON. 

Mr.  Stanford  commenced  the  first  page  of  his 
diary  for  1814,  with  the  following  pious  remark : — 
'*  Another  year  commenced.  What  work  the  Lord 
has  appointed  for  me  among  the  forlorn  classes  com- 
mitted to  my  care,  or  what  general  services  for  the 
benefit  of  my  fellow  creatures,  I  know  not.  O  Lord, 
put  thy  fear  into  my  heart ;  give  me  grace  to  walk 
humbly  before  thee,  and  make  my  strength  equal 
to  my  day;  then  all  will  be  well,  and  thy  name  shall 
be  glorified." 

It  may  not  be  improper,  in  this  place,  again  to 
remind  the  reader,  that  the  preceding,  as  well  as  the 
following  account  of  the  public  and  private  labours 
of  Mr.  Stanford,  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  are  to 
be  regarded  not  as  a  full  statement  in  detail,  but  as 
an  epitome  of  his  diary,  from  which,  if  it  were  desira- 
ble, volumes  might  be  filled  with  the  recital  of  touch- 
ing and  interesting  incidents. 

Lord's  day.  At  eight  A.  M.  he  preached  in  the 
City-Hospital;  and  in  the  State-Prison  at  half  past 
ten  A.  M.  and  then  visited  the  sick.  In  the  after- 
noon he  preached  to  the  church  in  Broome-street ;  and 
in  the  evening  in  the  Alms-House,  to  a  large  number 
of  paupers,  who  were  serious  and  attentive.  Blessed 
be  the  adorable  Saviour,  who  has  commanded  the 
gospel  to  be  preached  to  the  poor. 

Monday.  Mr.  Stanford  walked  to  the  State-Prison 
for  the  purpose  of  examining  two  new  schools,  which, 
added  to  those  already  organized,  made  at  that  time 
seven  schools  in  this  prison,  vvhich  were  open  only  in 
the  evening,  and  found  to  be  of  great  advantage  to 
the  more  ignorant  prisoners, 

Friday  morning,  7th.  Mr.  Stanford  was  sent  for 
to  visit  a  dying  woman  in  the  Bridewell.  He 
found  her,  and  three  others,  in  a  wretched  con- 
dition, lying  on  the  bare  floor,  with  only  a  ragged 
blanket  for  each,  to  shield  them  from  the  pierc- 
ing  cold.      The   physician   who   accompanied   him^ 


ANOTHER  VICTIM  OF  SEDUCTION  SAVED.        177 

said,  that  tliis  poor  creature  could  not  long  survive  the 
horrible  effects  of  her  sinful  course,  The  apartment 
was  so  very  offensive,  that  they  weve  obliged  to  open 
the  window  while  they  remained.  When  Mr.  Stan- 
ford complained  to  the  keeper  concerning  the  destitute 
state  of  these  women,  he  said,  he  had  no  more  cover- 
ing in  the  house  to  give  them.  As  a  committee  of 
the  Aldermen  were  to  meet  in  the  evening,  Mr.  Stan- 
ford stated  the  case  to  them,  and  the  next  morning 
they  ordered  the  females  to  be  provided  with  si!ital)le 
beds  and  bedding.  Since  this  period,  greater  atten- 
tion has  been  paid  to  the  miserable  inmates  of  the 
Bridewell.  * 

In  the  afternoon  he  went  to  the  State-Prison. 
Here  he  found  the  hospital  crowded  with  the  sic 
and  the  dying.  Five  men  \vere  affected  with  a 
very  malignant  fever,  and  the  hall  and  wards  were 
so  foul  and  disagreeable,  owing  to  the  prevailing  dis- 
ease, that  it  was  difficult  to  perform  the  usual  service. 
Respecting  this  visit,  he  remarks: — "  I  know  it  is 
hazardous  to  visit  under  such  circumstances,  but  the 
Lord  is  my  keeper,  and  my  life  is  of  little  value  ex- 
cept thus  to  be  employed  for  the  benefit  of  others." 

Tuesday,  25th.  This  day  he  visited  most  of  the 
wards  in  the  City-Hospital ;  in  one  of  which  he  found 
a  young  female  under  deep  penitence  for  her  profli- 
gate life  ;  and  there  is  great  reason  to  hope  that  the 
blessed  Jesus,  at  whose  feet  Mary  Magdalene  did  not 
weep  in  vain,  revealed  his  pardoning  mercy  to  this 
unhappy  victim  of  seduction. 

Conversion  of  R- B — — ,  aged  19. 

*'  This  young  woman  was,"  says  Mr.  Stanford, 
**  confined  several  months  by  consumption.  From 
my  first  visit  she  listened  with  attention,  and  confessed 
that  she  had  been  a  great  sinner,  and  felt  her  heart 
so  very  hard  and  obstinate,  that  she  was  almost  ready 
to  despair.     Gradually,  however,  it  pleased  the  Lord 


178      CATECHISM  FOR  THE  YOUNG  PRISONERS. 

to  open  to  her  the  riches  of  grace  in  Christ  the  Re- 
deemer. The  promises  of  divine  mercy  were  recom- 
mended to  her  attention,  and  in  prayer  she  speedily 
found  access  to  the  throne  of  grace.  On  one  occasion 
she  said,  '1  pray  to  the  Lord  night  and  day  when  my 
pains  ahate — it  is  my  only  comfort  and  delight — I 
have  some  hope  that  God  will  save  me  at  last,  through 
Jesus  Christ.' 

"In  the  evening  I  called  to  see  this  young  woman. 
'  Rachel,'  said  I,  '  can  you  seiy,  Father ^  not  my  iviH, 
but  thine  he  doneV  '  Sir,'  she  replied,  '  I  can  do  more 
than  that.'  '  \¥hat  is  it  ?'  '  Sir,  I  can  feel  it;  1  wait 
for  my  Lord  to  come  and  tal^e  me,  for  I  long  to  be 
with  him.'  After  prayer  she  thanked  me  for  my  visits 
in  so  affecting  a  manner,  that  1  was  obliged  to  retire. 

"On  the  next  Saturday  night  she  died,  rejoicing  in 
Christ." 

Tuesday,  the  1st  of  February.  This  day  Mr. 
Stanford  completed  his  Catechism  for  the  unfortunate 
youth  in  the  State-Prison,  and,  by  order  of  the  Board 
of  Inspectors,  he  sent  it  to  the  press  for  publication. 

The  following  Tuesday  he  visited  every  ward  in  the 
City-Hospital,  and  prayed  in  eight  of  them. 

On  the  13th  he  remarks: — "  I  preached  at  eight 
A.  M.  in  the  City-Hospital,  and  then  visited  and 
prayed  with  a  dying  man.  Directly  after,  I  accom- 
panied the  Rev.  Daniel  Sharp,  of  Boston,  to  the  State- 
Prison  chapel,  where  he  preached  a  sernion  for  me, 
with  great  acceptance  to  the  prisoners.  Visited  the 
sick  in  the  prison  hospital,  and  returned  home.  Af- 
ternoon, preached  in  the  Debtor's  chapel,  and  in  the 
evening  at  the  Alms-Iiouse,  and  afterwards  prayed 
with  dying  persons  in  three  different  wards.  This  to 
me  was  a  day  of  mercy,  and  1  sincerely  pray  that  it 
may  be  followed  with  mercy  to  many  others." 

Wednesday,  23d,  he  spent  three  hours  in  the  Aims- 
House,  with  much  satisfaction,  having  found  several 


TRIUMPHS  OF  THE  GOSPEL.  179 

new  cases,  of  persons  under  great  concern  for  salva- 
tion ;  and  otiiers,  waiting  with  cheerfulness  for  their 
last  change. 

28th.  Mr.  Stanford  employed  the  whole  of  this 
day  in  examining  the  schools  in  the  State-Prison,  and 
in  placing  before  the  minds  of  the  unhappy  criminals, 
the  way  of  peace  by  the  blood  and  righteousness  of 
Christ. 

On  the  3d  of  March  he  preached  in  the  Magdalen- 
House,  and  also  in  the  State-Prison.  In  the  latter 
place  he  found  a  female  prisoner  extremely  ill,  and 
under  awful  alarm  concerning  her  future  state.  To 
this  unhappy  creature  it  is  believed  that  the  Lord 
Wessed  liis  conversation  as  the  means  of  inducing  her 
to  look  by  faith  to  that  adorable  Saviour,  who  can 
pluck  the  brand  from  the  burning. 

The  conversion  of  N L . 


In  the  upper  ward,  Mr.  Stanford  found  three  or 
four  females,  very  sensible  of  their  sinful  state,  and 
one  white  woman  in  particular.  She  expressed  her- 
self in  terms  which  indicated  a  recent  work  of  divine 
mercy  upon  her  heart.  She  blessed  the  Lord  io'v  her 
affliction.  God  had  convinced  iier  of  her  great  sin- 
fulness, and  led  her  to  Jesus  Christ  as  her  Saviour, 
by  the  application  of  whose  blood  she  experienced 
pardon  and  peace.  She  said  that  she  was  never  so 
happy  before,  and  died  that  night,  full  of  faith,  hope, 
and  joy,  in  Jesus  Christ. 

After  this,  Mr.  S.  visited  a  3ick  prisoner  in  the 
hospital,  who  was  in  a  very  hardened  and  impenitent 
state.  These  cases  clearly  illustrate  the  sovereignty 
of  God  in  the  gifts  of  divine  grace — one  is  saved, 
and  another  remains  hardened  in  sin. 

On  the  4th,  at  ten  o'clock  in  tfie  morning,  he  went 
to  the  Alms-IIouse,  and  found  that  four  of  his  charge 
had  died  ;  three  of  whom,  expired  in  the  triumphs  of 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ. 


ISO  (MiDINATION  OF  MR.  ELLIOTT. 

Oil  the  Gth,  which  was  the  Sabbath,  he  preached 
iu  the  City-liospital  at  ei^^dit  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and  at  half  past  ten  in  the  church  in  Fayette-street. 
At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoorl  he  preached  again 
in  the  Debtor's-Prison,  and  in  the  evening  at  the 
Ahns-IIouse.  Respecting  this  day's  service  he  re- 
marks : — "  In  the  midst  of  weaknesSj  temptation, 
and  fear,  the  Lord  has  mercifully  helped  me.  But  1 
was  very  much  fatigued  by  walking  to  so  many  places. 
rSevertheless,  it  is  better  to  be  tired  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  than  to  be  tired  of  it."  Like  Gideon  and 
his  men,  he  was  ^'  Faint,  yet  pnrsuing,^^ 

Wednesday,  9th.  After  having  attended  the  Aims- 
House  in  the  morning,  Mr.  Stanford  assisted  in  the 
ordination  of  Mr.  Elliott,  at  the  Bethel  church.  The 
whole  of  tije  service  was  performed  with  great  solem- 
nity, and  the  fervent  prayer  of  many  hearts  ascended 
to  God,  for  a  blessing  upon  the  minister  then  set  apart 
to  the  work  of  the  gospel. 

Friday,  11th.  This  morning  he  was  requested  to 
visit  a  dying  man  in  the  City-Hospital.  It  was  truly 
an  afFecting  scene.  Mr.  Stanford  had  frequently 
conversed  and  prayed  with  him,  and  a  hope  was  in- 
dulged that  God  would  be  gracious  to  his  distressed 
«oui.  This  morning  he  found  him,  sensible,  but 
speechless.  Mr.  Stanford  asked  him  if  he  were  wind- 
ing to  die,  and  felt  in  his  heart  a  hope  in  Christ  the 
Lord?  To  which,  with  a  smile,  he  bowed  his  head, 
grnd  lifted  up  his  hands  toward  heaven.  Mr.  S, 
then  prayed  with  him  ;  after  which  he  took  his  station 
at  a  short  distance  from  the  bed  of  the  dying  man,  for 
the  purpose  of  addressing  the  other  patients  in  the 
room,  on  the  important  concerns  of  their  souls,  and 
directing  them  to  Jesus,  the  friend  of  sinners.  '*  In 
a  few  minutes,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  "I  perceived  the 
sick  man  undergoing  his  last  change,  and  soon  he 
sunk  in  the  arms  of  death.  Though  1  have  visited 
the  death  beds  of  many  hundred  persoDS.  this  was  the 


HORRIBLE  CONSEQUENCES  OF  DEISM.  181 

second  person  I  ever  saw  in  the  act  of  dying.  May 
the  impressions  made  upon  my  minc^  on  this  occasion, 
assist  me  to  keep  the  solemnities  of  death  and  eternity 
in  view!" 

In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Stanford  again  visited  the 
Hospital,  and  spent  two  hours  with  the  sick,  among 
whom  there  was  an  elderly  man,  who  refused  to  permit 
him  to  speak  one  word  about  Christ,  and  died  the  next 
morning,  unconscious  of  his  sinfulness  and  danger. 

The  following  is  another  instance  of  the  horrible 
consequences  of  deism,  and  recantation  in  the  dying 
hour. 

''  This  morning,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  **  T  was  re- 
quested to  visit  a  man  supposed  to  be  near  death. 
After  tenderly  inquiring  about  the  state  of  his  mind, 
he  replied,  *It  is  very  easy — I  know  that  there  is  one 
God-— I  believe  that  there  is  a  future  state — I  believe 
God,  when  I  die,  will  take  my  poor  soul — I  believe  all 
these.' — '  Do  you  know  that  you  are  a  sinner,  and  that 
you  need  mercy  ?'  '  O,  we  are  all  sinners.'  I  assured 
him  that  God  could  not  save  him  at  the  expense  of 
divine  justice.  *  You  and  I,'  said  Mr.  S.  *  both  stand  in 
need  of  a  Saviour.  God  hath  in  mercy  given  his  dear 
^ou,  '  lohose  blood  clcanseth  from  all  sin.^  And — *  there 
is  none  other  name  given  under  heaveUy  itherehy  ice  may 
be  saved,  but  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus ;'  he  is  the 
only  Saviour.'  To  my  great  astonishment  this  man 
replied,  *  I  dont  know  any  thing  about  him.'  *  Then 
it  is  high  time  you  should  know  him.  It  is  indeed  an 
encouragement  that  this  Jesus  is  able  and  willing  to 
save  to  the  uttermost  all  who  come  unto  God  by  him, 
and  it  becomes  you,  under  your  circumstances,  to 
pray  to  him  for  mercy.'  I  was  equally  surprised  to 
receive  for  answer — *  t  never  prayed  in  my  life.'  I 
thought  it  my  duty,  solemnly  to  warn  him  of  his  dan- 
ger.    After  which  1  prayed. 

*'  At  four  o'clock  I  ordered  the  coachman  to  put 

16 


182  RCCANTATIOX. 

me  down  at  the  Hospital  gate,  and  I  went  into  the 
sick  man's  room  i*  l)nt  what  was  my  astonishment,  as 
I  looked  around,  to  find  both  the  man  and  the  bed  re- 
moved. '  Nurse,  what  have  you  done  with  the  pati- 
ent ?'  '  He  is  in  the  dead-house — he  died  at  twelve 
o'clock.'  '  How  did  he  die?'  Instead  of  giving  me 
a  direct  reply,  she  informed  me,  that  soon  after  I  left 
him  in  the  morning,  two  of  his  friends  had  been  to 
visit  him,  and  who  informed  her  that  he  was  a  deist, 
and  had  lived  a  very  irregular  life.  '  But,  nurse, 
you  do  not  answer  my  question — how  did  he  die  r' 
"'  Sir,  when  he  knew  lie  was  going  he  cried  loudly 
enough  to  Jesus  Christ  to  save  him — he  died  a  coward 
at  last;  and  with  his  last  breath  renounced  his  former 
infidelity.'  " 

Thursday,  17th.  In  the  morning  Mr.  Stanford 
preached  in  the  Magdalen-House,  and  visited  the 
United  States-Hospital.  Going  through  the  Slate- 
Prison,  he  had  an  encouraging  conversation  with  one 
of  the  prisoners,  who  professed  to  have  met  with  a 
change  of  heart  since  he  came  to  this  dismal  abode. 
"  O,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  "  how  rich  the  grace  of 
God,  to  find  out  such  transgressors!  and  what  an 
encouragement  is  it  for  me  to  persevere  in  the  service 
of  Christ!" 

Wednesday,  Mr.  Stanford  went  to  the  State-Prison, 
where  he  found  a  prisoner  in  the  agonies  of  death. 
After  tenderly  addressing  him  for  a  few  moments,  he 
thought  it  prudent  to  desist,  when,  with  a  sepulchral 
tone  the  dying  man  said,  '  Go  on.'  He  did  so,  and 
concluded  with  piayer.  In  about  an  hour  after- 
wards, the  soul  of  this  poor  prisoner  passed  into  the 
eternal  world. 

Mr.  Stanford  employed  a  part  of  Friday,  the  25th, 
in  calling  upon  a  few  of  his  opulent  friends,  to  solicit 
their  aid  in  furnishing  the  room  employed  as  a  chapel 
in  the  Debtor's-Prison ;  and  in  this  enterprise  he 
succeeded  beyond  his  expectations. 


CONVERSION  OF  W.  S.  L.  JS3 

On  the  morning  of  the  thud  Sabbath  in  April,  lie 
preached  to  the  state  prisoners,  wliat  they  were  in  tlie 
habit  of  calhng,  "  A  Jubilee  Sermon,"  before  the 
annual  season,  when  the  governor  of  the  state  is 
accustomed  to  pardon  such  individuals  as  may  be 
particularly  recommended  to  his  clemency.  The  text 
was  from  Ezra  ix.  8 — "  Give  us  a  little  revicing  in  our 
bondage,''''  The  afternoon  was  employed  in  preaching 
and  in  visiting  the  sick  ;  and  in  the  evening  he 
preached  a  sermon  to  the  poor  in  the  Alms-llouse. 

Tuesday,  the  5th  of  May,  he  attended  twelve  wards 
in  the  City-Hospital,  and  prayed  in  most  of  them. 
One  of  the  patients  expressed  his  thanks  to  God  for 
the  hope  of  pardon,  received  under  the  sermon  last 
Sabbath  morning. 

The  conversion  of  W.  S.  L . 


"  This  young  man,"  Mr.  Stanford  says,  "  had  been 
about  two  years  in  the  Hospital.  When  I  spoke  to 
him  to-day,  he  said,  '  I  am  not  quite  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  and  perhaps  I  shall  not  live  to  get  out.  O, 
Sir,  I  want  to  make  my  peace  with  God.'  I  directed 
him  to  Christ,  who  has  made  peace  by  the  blood  of 
his  cross  ;  and  assured  him,  that  Christ  alone  could 
speak  peace  to  his  heart.  He  replied,  '  Sir,  this  is 
what  I  want,  and  for  this  I  pray,  but  I  never  knew 
or  felt  the  necessity  of  this  before,  and  I  hope  you 
will  pray  for  me,  that  the  Lord  may  have  mercy  on 
me,  a  poor  miserable  creature.  1  am  very  dark  in 
my  mind — my  pain  is  distressing — 1  am  so  miserable 
1  can  hardly  bear  myself.'  1  reminded  him  of  the 
greatness  of  God's  compassion  for  the  chief  of  sinners, 
even  at  the  latest  hour.  He  wept,  and  replied,  '  I  am 
not  worthy  of  the  mercy  of  God,  nor  the  favour  you 
have  shown  me ;  I  have  in  my  own  heart  thanked 
you  a  thousand  times.'  I  repeated  the  words  of  the 
prophet — '  And  ye  shall  seek  me,  and  find  me,  ichen  ye 
shall  search  for  me  with  all  your  heart*'     To  which  he 


184  SCHOOL  IN  THE  HOSFITAL. 

replied,  '  I  do  seek  the  Lord  with  my  whole  heart  ;  I 
have  nothing  else  to  seek  after,  and  there  is  nothing 
1  want  besides.' 

*'  This  service  was  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  A  fe.v 
days  after  this  1  found  him  near  his  end.  In  broken 
accents  he  said — '  I  shall  never  see  you  again.'  I 
encouraged  him  to  trust  his  soul  and  body  to  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  was  able  to  support 
him  to  the  end.  He  expressed  his  wish  to  say  much 
to  me,  but  was  unable.  He  exclaimed — '  Precious 
Jesus  !'  1  asked  him  if  he  had  reason  to  believe  that 
Jesus  was  his  Saviour  ?  He  replied,  '  He  is  my  Sa- 
viour for  ever.'  In  about  an  hour  alter  tliis  he  died, 
rejoicing  in  the  Lord." 

The  Tuesday  following,  Mr.  Stanford  visited  all 
the  wards  in  the  City-Hospital,  conversing  and  pray- 
ing with  the  sick.  After  this  laborious  day,  he  spent 
the  evening  with  one  of  the  governors  of  the  Hospital, 
in  forming  a  plan  to  give  some  education  to  the  lame 
children  in  the  institution.  This  was  subsequently 
effected,  and  still  continues  to  prove  highly  beneficial. 
The  plan  was  very  simple.  Mr.  Stanford  appointed 
their  lessons  on  one  visiting  day,  and  heard  them 
recite  on  the  next.  This  system  produced  the  happy 
effect,  not  only  of  teaching  them  to  read,  but  it  kept 
them  still,  and  thus  facilitated  their  cure. 

After  spending  a  part  of  Thursday  in  the  ordinary 
duties  of  his  chaplaincy,  he  visited  the  United  States 
Military-Hospital,  and  preached  a  sermon  to  the  sick 
and  maimed  soldiers.  On  this  occasion  he  conversed 
and  prayed  with  a  soldier  apparently  near  death,  and 
who  expressed  much  gratitude  for  his  attentions. 
"  I  must  confess,"  he  remarks,  "  that  I  find  these 
ioldiers  more  grateful  than  many  other  people." 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Colonel  Col- 
den  to  Mr.  Stanford,  is  expressive  of  the  views  which 
were  entertained  of  his  services. 


COLONEL  COLDf:N.  185 

^^  Fort  Gansevort,  June  11///,  1814. 

"  REV.  SIK, 

"  Permit  me,  for  myself,  and  in  behalf  of  my  regi- 
ment, to  return  yon  thanks  for  the  assistance  you 
have  afforded  us.  All  good  men  must  unite  in  prayers, 
that  you  may  be  long  spared  to  discharge  the  pious 
and  arduous  duties  which  you  take  upon  yourself. 
That  you  may  be  happy  in  this  world,  and  that  you 
may  meet  the  reward  for  which  every  zealous  and 
able  servant  in  the  Christian  Church  may  hope. 
*'  1  am,  Rev.  Sir, 

*'  With  great  respect, 

"  Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

'<  CADWALLADER  D.  COLDEN,' 

The  subjoined  letter,  is  another  evidence  that  his 
gratuitous  labours  among  the  military  were  duly  ap- 
preciated. 

"  United  States  Militari/'Hosjntal,  Greemnch^ 

''June  15th,  1814. 
"  SIR, 

"  The  patients  in  the  General  Military-Hospital  at 
Greenwich,  for  themselves  and  those  that  have  pre- 
ceded them,  beg  leave  respectfully  to  address  you, 
previously  to  their  final  discharge  from  the  United 
States  service. 

*'  During  two  years  your  unremitted  zeal  for  their 
moral  and  religious  welfare,  has  manifested  itself  in 
the  strongest  possible  light.  Your  kind  and  paternal 
attention,  which,  without  the  slightest  prospect  of 
reward,  has  so  uniformly  been  evinced,  will  for  ever 
endear  you  to  our  memories.  You  have  not  ceased 
lo  visit  us,  and  administrr  consolation  in  the  most 
inclement  weather  ;  and  often  at  the  expense  of  your 
own  health.  We  regret  that  our  only  return  is,  that 
of  a  grateful  acknowledgment;   be  pleased,  Sir,  to 

la* 


186  CHAPEL  IN  THE  DEBTOR's-PRISOX. 

believe,  that  return,  though  humble,  to  be  sincere- 
The  remembrance  of  your  disinterested  kindness  will 
remain  with  us  through  life,  and  descend  with  us  lo 
our  graves.  Accept,  Sir,  our  warmest  and  must 
nfFectionate  prayers  for  your  happiness. 

"  In  behalf  of  the  patients, 
"  SIMOx\  CRYGIER, 
" GEORGE  THATCHER, 
"  DANIEL  PARMER.' 

On  Friday  morning  he  visited  three  rooms  in  the 
Bridewell,  in  which  were  a  number  of  miserable 
women,  very  sick  with  what  is  called  "  the  jail  dis- 
temper." He  found  most  of  them  in  a  state  of 
deplorable  insensibility  of  mind,  ignorant  of  Christ, 
and  without  hope  in  the  world.  To  them  he  preached 
repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  onr  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  the  only  hope  of  the  guilty.  The  ministry 
of  Mr.  Stanford  was  generally  characterized  by  what 
iS  called,  '  doctrinal  orthodoxy,'  but  while  it  is  true, 
that  he  delighted  to  expitiate  upon  the  sovereignty  of 
God,  still  his  frequent  theme  was — 

"  Come,  all  ye  vilest  sinners,  come, 
He'll  form  your  souls  anew; 
His  gospel  and  his  heart  have  roona^ 
For  rebels  such  as  you." 

In  the  evening  he  preached  in  the  Ahns-House,  to  a 
large  collection  of  poor,  many  of  whom  were  earnestly 
seeking  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 


'D 


"  While  grace  is  offer'd  to  the  prince. 
The  poor  may  take  their  share; 
No  mortal  has  a  just  pretence 
To  perish  in  despair." 

On  the  morning  of  the  24th,  he  preached  in  the 
Ciby-Hospital,  and  in  the  afternoon  he  opened  the 
new  chapel  in  the  Debtor's-Prison.     It  was  formed 


COLD  WATER  TOAfeTS.  187 

by  throwing  two  rooms  into  one ;  and  was  provided 
with  a  convenient  desk,  books,  seats,  Sec.  all  of  which 
Mr.  Stanford  procured  by  subscriptions  among  his 
personal  friends. 

The  prisoners  confined  in  the  debtor's  apartments 
having  been  handsomely  entertained  by  the  sheritf, 
Mr.  Ruggles  Hubbard,  and  Mr.  J.  L.  Bell,  on  the  an- 
niversary of  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1814;  though  it 
is  believed  they  had  no  wine,  yet  among  other  senti- 
ments uttered  on  that  occasion,  they  gave  the  follow- 
ing cold  water  toasts,  as  an  expression  of  their  high 
respect  for  the  gentlemen  named. 

"  The  humane  sheriff,  (Ruggles  Hubbard,)  who 
prefers  the  interest  of  his  prisoners  to  his  own  emolu- 
ment. 

"  The  Rev.  John  Stanford,  the  philanthropist, 
who  searches  the  dreary  dungeon  to  proclaim  the  free 
grace  of  his  blessed  Redeemer  to  his  brothers  in 
adversity.  May  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  in  this 
city  learn  to  do  likewise." 

On  the  morning  of  the  9th,  Mr.  Stanford  received 
a  special  invitation  to  attend  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  trustees  and  patrons  of  the  New- York  Free- 
School,  and  introduce  the  exercises  with  prayer.  A 
very  numerous  assembly  of  our  most  respectable 
citizens  were  convened  on  the  occasion.  From  thence 
he  went  to  the  Aims-House,  where  he  found  a  woman, 
aged  seventy-one,  who  was  then  dying;  but  in  a  state 
of  mind  the  most  enviable.  Behind  the  cloud  of  death, 
she  saw,  by  faith,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and 
panted  for  the  hour  to  depart.  Respecting  this  case 
iic  says  : — *'  I  have  seldom  met  with  a  person  so  near 
to  death,  witli  a  mind  more  calm  and  devout."  In 
another  ward  was  a  female  with  whom  he  had  often 
conversed  about  the  subject  of  her  salvation.  Death 
had  already  commenced  his  work ;  her  eye  rolled,  and 
her  lips  quivered,  under  the  struggle;  but  her  faitli  in 
Jesus  was  triumphant.     After  prayer,   she   said : — - 


188  SCHOOLS  EXAMINED. 

"  Lord,   carry  me   safely  through.     Thou  wilt    not 
forsake  me:   I  shall  soon  be  with  thee." 

"  The  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death." 

O ,  a  prisoner,  died  on  the  18th,  and 


1  have  reason,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  *'  to  believe  he 
had  been  a  partaker  of  the  grace  of  God.  In  death, 
his  faith  was  firm  in  the  Lord,  and  his  prospects 
bright  for  eternity.  O  how  do  such  instances  of 
sovereign  mercy,  magnify  the  grace  of  God." 

The  morning  of  the  I9th  was  employed  in  examin- 
ing the  schools  in  the  State-Prison.  They  were 
convened  in  the  chapel,  amounting  in  the  whole  to 
fifty-eight  scholars.  Their  examination  in  reading, 
writing,  arithmetic,  catechism,  <fcc.  gave  great  satis- 
faction to  the  inspectors,  and  much  credit  to  the 
teachers.  After  the  exercises,  which  lasted  three 
hours,  Mr.  Stanford  delivered  an  address  to  the 
assembly,  and  concluded  with  prayer. 

He  commenced  the  services  of  the  month  following, 
by  a  long  visit  to  most  of  the  wards  in  the  Aims- 
House.  "  It  is  truly  gratifying,"  he  says,  "  to  find 
go  many  who  are  immersed  in  poverty,  searching 
after  the  durable  riches  of  divine  grace.  O  that  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  might  make  them  rich  in  faith,  and 
heirs  of  the  kingdom  of  God." 

The  afternoon  was  spent  with  the  board  of  inspec- 
tors on  prison  business;  and  the  evening,  by  preach- 
ing in  the  Aims-House, 

On  the  following  day  Mr.  Stanford  again  visited 
the  Military-Hospital,  and  preached  a  sermon;  after 
which  he  conversed  particularly  with  each  individual. 
Amongst  them  he  found  one  man  under  deep  concern 
of  mind,  who  wept  bitterly,  and  seemed  overwhelmed 
with  a  sense  of  his  sins.  To  this  mourning  sinner  he 
preached  salvation  through  the  blood  of  Christ,  after 
which  prayer  was  made  unto  God  for  him. 

The  next  visit  was  to  the  sick  in  the  State-Prison 


THE  TEMPTED  STRANGER.  189 

hospital ;  here  Mr.  Stanford  conversed  with  a  black. 
rnan,  supposed  to  be  dying.  He  suffered  great  pain, 
bat  his  heart  was  filled  with  love  to  God,  and  he  was 
anxiously  waiting  for  the  iuoment  of  linal  victory  over 
death  and  the  grave,  through  faiih  in  the  atoning 
blood  of  Christ. 

After  this  visit  Mr.  Stanford  remarks  : — "  O  how 
good  it  is — how  blessed  the  eniployinent,  to  labour 
for  the  present  and  eternal  benefit  of  immortal  souls." 

On  Tuesday,  the  14th,  he  passe'd  his  usual  rounds 
among  the  sick  in  the  City-Mosjjital ;  and  in  the 
evening  he  preached  a  sermon  in  the  Mulberry-strett 
meeting-house,  on  the  subject  of  educating  pious 
young  men  for  the  gosj^el  ministry.  Tiiis  discourse 
was  afterwards  printed  by  tlie  Baptist  i.iterary  and 
Theological  Society  of  the  State  of  New- York. 

On  Thursday  morning,  wliile  walking  out  of  the 
city  to  perform  his  usual  service  at  the  State-Prison, 
he  was  overtaken  by  a  young  gentleman,  with  whom 
he  entered  into  conversation  upon  the  subject  of  the 
Christian  religion.  After  discovering  great  difTidence, 
the  young  gentleman,  (a  stranger  to  Mr.  S.)  proceeded 
to  make  the  following  remarks  : — "  O,  Sir,  for  several 
years  have  1  been  the  victim  of  very  strong  and  awful 
temptations,  which,  however,  I  could  never  find  cour- 
age to  communicate  to  my  pious  parents,  or  to  any 
other  person;  but  as  I  feel  great  confidence  in  your 
paternal  sympathy,  if  you  will  permit,  I  will  give  you 
an  account  of  my  case."  Mr.  Stanford  having  as- 
sured him  of  his  readiness,  not  only  to  hear,  but  to 
afford  him  such  advice  as  the  nature  of  the  case  de- 
manded, the  young  man  proceeded,  with  flowing 
tears,  to  unbosom  himself.  The  case  was  very  inte- 
resting, and  awfully  illustrative  of  the  imminent 
danger  to  which  unwary  youth  are  exposed  in  a  city 
like  this.  After  giving  suitable  instruction  and  en- 
couragement to  the  troubled  conscience,  Mr.  S.  parted 
with   this   tempted   stranger,   whose    expressions  of 


190  LETTER  TO    MR.  W.  S. 

gratitude  afford  conclusive  evidence,  that  young  per- 
sons especially,  might  often  derive  great  assistance 
under  their  temptations  and  other  trials,  by  seeking 
the  counsel  of  age  and  experience. 

The  affecting  case  referred  to  in  the  following  letter, 
may  serve  as  a  commentary  upon  the  adage — "  Youth 
wants  a  guide."  It  is  not  to  be  controverted,  that 
where  sentiments  of  piety  are  early  impressed  upon 
the  human  mind,  they  generally  form  the  basis 
of  respectability  in  the  present  life,  and  greatly 
tend  to  prepare  for  the  consummation  of  bliss  in 
the  world  to  come.  But  it  is  equally  indisputable, 
that  thousands  of  unsuspecting  youth  of  both  sexes, 
who  leave  the  paternal  roof,  fortified  by  habits  of  in- 
dustry and  early  religious  instruction;  and  followed 
by  the  prayers  of  anxious  friends,  Iiave  nevertheless 
become  the  victims  of  those  multiform  temptations 
which,  in  a  populous  city,  assail  them,  almost  at 
every  step.  In  many  instances  they  might  have  been 
delivered  from  evil,  if,  when  coming  to  the  city,  they 
liad  been  specially  introduced  by  a  letter  from 
their  parents,  or  from  the  clergyman  of  the  village, 
to  the  attention  of  some  pious  friend,  who  would  have 
watched  for  their  good. 

Letter  to  Mr.  W******  S*****. 

''New-York,  July,  1814. 

"  DEAR  5SIR, 

*'  That  man  is  born  to  trouble  as  the  sparks  fly 
upward,  is  not  only  a  fact  recorded  in  the  scriptures, 
but  it  stands  inscribed  upon  the  history  of  the  world. 
The  .e  afflictions  which  may  be  denominated  peculiar, 
sometimes  arise  from  our  social  connections,  and  never 
fail  to  be  doubly  severe  to  the  heart  of  a  parent,  on 
witnessing  the  disobedience  of  a  favourite  child. 
Though,  perhaps,  unknown  to  you  even  by  name,  I 
esteem  it  a  duty  to  offer  my  condolence  on  the  painful 


LETTER  TO  MR.  W.  S.  191 

inforniation  you  may  have  received  cf  the  niisfortunes 

of  your  grand-son,  B F.  E . 

"  The  circumstances  which  led  to  my  first  interview 
with  the  truly  unhappy  youth,  was,  my  visiting  a 
dying  woman  in  the  City-Jail;  at  which  time  the 
keeper  informed  me  that  he  had  a  lad  of  respectahle 
connections  under  his  charge,  who,  on  his  own  confes- 
sion, was  in  a  few  days  to  be  sentenced  for  forging  a 
note  of  fifty  dollars.  On  expressing  my  regret,  and 
a  wish  to  see  him,  the  keeper  kindly  brought  him  to 
see  me  in  the  front  office.  The  interview  was  affect- 
ing. He,  with  many  tears,  gave  me  a  general  account 
of  his  transgressions,  justified  his  prosecutors,  and 
condemned  himself,  as  deserving  the  expected  punish- 
ment. The  apprehension  that  information  of  his  con- 
duct would  be  communicated  to  his  father  and  grand- 
father, added  to  the  keenness  of  his  sorrow.  Indeed, 
Sir,  I  could  not  refrain  from  weeping  over  the  misery 
of  one  so  young,  so  fallen  and  miserable.  I  informed 
him  that  1  was  the  chaplain  of  the  State-Prison, 
and  gave  him  my  best  advice  how  to  conduct  himself, 
should  the  sentence  of  the  law  consign  him  to  that 
dreary  abode;  for  which  he  appeared  to  be  thankful. 

"  The  day  before  the  sentence,  I  mentioned  the 
expected  arrival  of  Benjamin,  to  the  agent,  the  keeper, 
and  to  two  physicians,  expressing  my  wisli,  that  as 
the  health  of  the  youth  required  medical  aid,  he  should 
not  immediately  be  put  to  labour. 

"  The  next  day  the  Hon.  De  Witt  Clinton,  the 
Mayor  of  the  City,  pronounced  the  sentence,  for  the 
term  of  sevoi  t/ears  only ;  the  shortest  period  of  which 
the  law  admits  in  his  case. 

"  On  the  following  Lord's  day,  I  saw  your  poor 
Benjamin  in  the  chapel.  My  heart  yearned  over  him. 
For  his  sake,  as  well  as  others,  I  preached  a  sermon 
from  Psalm  Ixxix.  8,  9. 

"  On  this  peculiarly  painful  event,  I  am  disposed 
to  say : — From  your  knowledge  of  human  life,  you  are 


192  LETTER  TO  MR.  W.  S. 

convinced  of  n  superintending  Providence,  and  that 
(^od  not  unfr(H}uoiit]y  glorifies  tlie  riches  of  hi?  graro 
by  reclaiming  the  prodigal  son.  Benjamin,  I  presum*^, 
ha<l  gone  great  lengths  in  folly,  considering  his  tender 
\ears.  II is  errors  must  deeply  afflict  the  feelings  of 
his  friends;  yet,  as  he  remarked,  his  present  suffering 
/nay  eventually  preserve  him  from  rushing,  if  possible, 
into  more  fatal  snares.  So  far  as  it  relates  to  myself, 
I  shall  endeavour  to  afford  the  unfortunate  youth 
mv  best  advice  durinor  his  confinement.  As  to  your- 
self  and  family,  this  afflictive  event,  I  hope,  will  teach 
you  that  there  is  no  rose  without  thorns ;  and 
that  the  interruptions  which  take  place  in  our  social 
connections,  painful  as  they  may  be,  should  lead  us  to 
desire  that  substantial  felicity,  which  alone  is  to  be 
found  in  the  bosom  of  the  God  of  mercy. 

"  *  Children  and  friends  are  blessings  too, 
If  God  the  Lord  will  make  them  so.' 

"  It  cannot  be  presumed  tiiat  you  will  aUogcthei!' 
abandon  your  unfortunate  grandson.  Our  benevolent 
Saviotjr  forbids  it.  '  /  was  sick,  and  in  prison,  and 
yc  visited  me.^  Whether  you  do  this  in  person,  or  by 
any  of  your  family,  or  neighbours ;  if  such  will  call  upon 
me,  and  my  engagements  permit,  I  will  conduct  them 
to  the  dreary  abode.  If  it  be  preferable  to  write,  I 
hnve,  no  objection  to  hold  an  occasional  correspon- 
dence with  the  family,  in  reference  to  the  lad;  for  un- 
less by  particular  favour,  he  will  not  be  allowed  paper 
to  write  more  than  once  in  six  months.  However, 
should  you,  or  any  of  the  family  write,  while  just  re- 
proof may  be  given  to  your  disobedient  child,  let  jus- 
tice be  blended  with  compassion. 

*'  With  sincere  sympathy, 

"  I  am  your's  in  the  gospel, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD " 

A  reriew  of  the  labours  of  Mr.  Stanford  during  th« 


niOT  IN  THE  ST.\TE-PRISON.  193 

year  past,  although  only  a  few  short  extracts  have 
been  given  from  his  diary,  presents  so  far  as  his 
ministry  is  concerned,  one  uninterrupted  scene  of 
prosperity.  Souls  were  converted  through  his  in- 
strumentality— public  confidence  in  his  piety,  abilities^ 
and  diligence,  became  more  and  more  established — 
and  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  various  institutions 
committed  to  his  care,  were  greatly  promoted. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact,  stated  by  Mr.  Roome,  the 
keeper  of  the  Slate-Prison,  that  such  was  the  influence 
which  the  evident  piety,  and  patriarchal  dignity  of  Mr. 
Stanford  gave  him  over  the  minds  of  all  the  prisoners, 
that  during  the  riot  which  occurred  in  1818,  the  ap- 
pearance of  Mr.  S.  at  one  of  the  windows,  produced 
a  greater  effect  on  the  minds  of  the  rioters,  than  the 
appearance  of  the  soldiers  upon  the  prison  walls.  One 
of  them  was  heard  to  say,  *'  Let  Father  Stanford  come 
out  into  the  yard  ;  there  is  not  a  man  of  us  who  would 
not  stand  between  him  and  a  bullet."  When  other 
ministers  preached  in  the  chapel,  the  prisoners  fre^ 
quently  discovered  great  uneasiness;  and  the  more 
hardened  among  them,  would  sometimes  disturb  the 
speaker  by  rattling  their  chains,  and  coughing,  or 
scraping  their  feet  on  theflcor;  but  when  *'  Father 
Stanford"  occupied  the  pulpit,  no  congregation  could 
behave  with  greater  propriety.  They  seemed  to 
hang  upon  the  lips  of  the  speaker,  delighted  and 
instructed,  penetrated  and  awed,  by  his  simplicity 
and  evangelical  pathos.  The  same  m,ay  be  said  in 
relation  to  the  inmates  of  the  Bridewell,  Blackwell's 
Island,  and  other  places,  where  the  vicious  and  profli- 
gate heard  him  preach  the  gospel.  Those  who  were 
not  brought  under  the  saving  influence  of  the  grace 
of  God,  were  constrained  to  assume,  at  least  while  in 
his  presence,  a  decent  exterior.  This  probably  arose 
from  the  fact,  that,  in  no  small  degree,  like  the 
pious  Mr.  Shepherd,  he  could  say,  "  I  never  preached 
»  sermon  which  did  not  cost  me  prayers  and  tears 

17 


194  MR.  STANFORD  IN  THE  PULPIT. 

ill  composing  it;  and  I  never  went  up  to  the  pulpit, 
but  as  if  going  up  to  give  an  account  of  my  conduct." 
Mr.  Stanford  was  indeed  a  man  of  prayer,  and  its 
hallowing  influence  was  felt  by  the  congregations  to 
whom  he  preached.  When  we  have  beheld  him  in 
the  pulpit,  the  words  of  Cowper  have  always  seemed 
to  be  peculiarly  applicable. 

"  There  stands  the  messenger  of  truth!  there  stands 
The  legate  of  the  skies! — His  theme  divine, 
His  office  sacred,  his  credentials  clear. 
By  him  the  violated  law  speaks  out 
Its  thunders;  and  by  him,  in  strains  as  sweet 
As  angels  use,  the  gospel  whispers  peace. 
He  'stablishes  the  strong,  restores  the  weak, 
Reclaims  the  wanderer,  binds  the  broken  heart, 
And,  arm'd  himself  in  panoply  complete 
Of  heavenly  temper,  furnishes  with  arms 
Bright  as  his  own,  and  trains,  by  every  rule 
Of  holy  discipline,  to  glorious  war, 
The  sacramental  host  of  God's  elect'"' 


CHAPTER  X. 

INTERESTING    AND    SUCCESSFUL    SERVICES    IN    THE    PUBLIC 

INSTITUTIONS. 

I.\  the  cai'Iy  part  of  1815,  the  heart  of  Mr.  Stanford 
seems  to  have  been  particularly  directed  to  seek  the 
Lord  by  fasting  and  prayer,  for  wisdom  and  strength, 
to  perform  the  duties  devolving  upon  him.  He  com- 
menced his  labours  for  the  month,  by  visiting  most  of 
the  wards  in  the  City-Hospital,  during  the  morning  of 
Friday;  and  in  the  evening  he  preached  in  the  Alms- 
liouse  to  a  large  and  attentive  audience.  Although 
his  diary  records  no  very  remarkable  incidents  during 
this  month,  it  is  nevertheless  gratifying  to  trace  the 
daily  course  of  the  good  man  in  his  unremitted  la- 
bours from  early  dav/n  till  evening  shade.  It  may 
with  truth  be  said,  that  the  rising  and  the  setting  sun 
found  him  always  at  his  post,  and  either  actually 
employed,  or  preparing  for  action.  It  was  owing  to 
this  fact,  that  Mr.  Stanford  was  enabled  to  perform 
an  amount  of  service  which  was  a  subject  of  aston- 
ishment and  admiration,  to  all  who  were  familiar 
with  his  life. 

It  is  recorded  of  the  })rince  of  painters,  who  flour- 
ished under  the  reign  of  Alexander  the  Great,  that 
when  his  royal  patron  one  day  inquired  of  him  how  it 
was,  that  he  could  execute  so  many  beautiful  and 
finished  pictures,  the  artist  replied  :  "  Nullus  dies, 
sine  iinea."  If  it  be  asked,  how  a  man  labouring 
nnder  great  bodily  infirmities,  such  as  would  have 
entirely  disqualified  most  other  men,  could  perform 
his  various  duties,  as  chaplain  in  no  less  than  nine 
public    institutions,  embracing  nearly  three  thousand 


196  DEATH  OF  MRS.  ISABELLA   GiiAHAM. 

souls;  besides,  frequently  preaching  in  the  pulpits 
of  different  deno:nin;itions — visiting  the  poor  and 
the  sick  not  immediately  under  his  care — maintain- 
ing an  extensive  correspondence — publishing  seve- 
ral volumes,  and  about  fifty  tracts  and  sermons, — 
having  nearly  an  erpial  ainount  of  literary  and  theo- 
logical manuscripts  in  a  state  of  progress  for  future 
publication, — the  answer  is,  like  Apellcs,  he  permitted 
no  day  to  pass  unimproved.  It  seems  to  have  been 
a  part  of  his  religion,  conscientiously,  ami  at  the  ap- 
pointed time,  to  discharge  the  aj)propriate  duties  of 
every  hour. 

On  Thursday  the  23th  of  Jidy,  he  thus  writes: — 
"  This  has  been  a  solemn  day  !  The  Lord  has  bem 
pleased  by  death  to  call  to  himself,  Mrs.  Isabella 
Graham,  the  pious  and  well  known  friend  of  the  poor 
and  needy.  I  visited  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Bethune, 
in  the  mornino:,  and  after  some  consolinsf  advice,  we 
went  into  the  adjoining  room  to  see  the  corpse,  and 
to  offer  the  prayer  of  submission  to  the  Lord  our  God." 

The  same  morning,  Mr.  Stanford  preached  in  the 
Military-Hospital,  and  was  informed  that  one  of  the 
soldiers  had  died  three  days  before,  but  he  was  happy 
in  the  Lord  Jesus. 

As  he  was  leaving  the  buildini]^  one  of  the  soldiers 
requested  the  favour  of  a  few  minutes  conversation. 
"  Sir,"  said  he,  "  I  was  brought  up  a  Protestant. 
Some  years  since  I  made  a  voyage  to  Cadiz,  in  whicli 
place  I  was  afflicted  with  severe  fits.   A  Roman  Catho- 
lic priest  was  sent  for,  who  said,   '  If  to-morrow  you 
will  attend  me  and  make  confession,  I  will  give  you  ab- 
solution, and  your  fits  will  not  again  return.'    I  did  so  ; 
but  the  priest  informed  me  that  if  I  turned  away  from 
the  Roman   Catholic  Church,  my  fits  would   return. 
Now,  Sir,  I  wish  to  know  if  this  will  prevent  me  from 
being  a  Protestant  still,  for  I  am  much  distressed?" 
To  this  Mr.  Stanford  replied,  "  1  am  sorry  you  were 
so  ignorant  as  to  believe  that  the  priest  could  forgive 


A  SUDDEN  DEATH.  197 

your  sins,  or  cure  your  fits.  But  you  must  remember 
that  you  and  the  priest  are  both  poor  sinners,  and 
need  a  Saviour ;  and  1  pray  the  Lord  to  convince  you 
of  your  need  of  him,  and,  that  without  his  mercy  and 
grace  neither  of  you  can  be  happy  in  life,  in  death, 
or  in  eternity."  The  poor  fellow  appeared  very 
thoughtful,  and  thanked  Mr.  S.  for  the  instruction 
that  had  been  imparted." 

The  case  of  L B . 


This  young  man  was  the  son  of  respectable  parents ; 
he  was  classically  educated,  and  inherited  a  large 
estate,  which  he  had  subsequently  dissipated  at 
the  shrine  of  Bacchus.  A  course  of  profligacy  pro- 
duced diseases  which  not  only  brought  him  to  the 
Hospital,  but  terminated  in  his  dissolution.  When 
Mr.  Stanford  visited  this  person,  he  answered  him 
very  abruptly,  and  proceeded  sternly  to  address  him 
in  Latin.  To  this  Mr.  S.  replied.  The  young  man 
then  petuiently  commenced  a  discussion  of  some  im- 
portant points  in  divinity,  in  a  manner  so  theoretically 
correct,  as  to  prove  that  he  was  not  ignorant  of  the 
Bible.  But,  he  died  without  giving  any  evidence  of 
conversion  to  God.  Such  cases  speak  to  survivors 
in  a  warning  voice,  not  to  be  misunderstood.  Let 
youth  of  talents  and  property,  fly  from  sifi,  which  is 
alike  ruinous  to  their  temporal  and  eternal  interests. 

Wednesday.  Just  before  his  arrival  at  the  Aims- 
House,  one  of  the  servants,  supposed  to  be  in  good 
health,  dropped  on  the  floor,  and  in  a  few  minutes  his 
soul  took  wing  for  eternity.  This  sudden  death  made 
a  serious  impression  upon  many  of  the  poor,  and  Mr. 
Stanford,  availed  himself  of  this  favourable  opportu- 
nity to  preach  to  them  from  the  words  of  David — 
"  There  is  hut  a  step  between  me  and  death,'''' 

Thursday.  On  his  way  to  the  Hospital,  Mr.  Stan- 
ford met  two  men,  who  had  just  been  liberated  from 
the  State-Prison,  by  a  special  pardon  from  the  gover- 

17* 


198  FUNERAL  OF  MRS.  ISABELLA  GRAHAM. 

nor  ;  one  of  them  said,  '•  Sir,  when  I  was  sent  to  that 
place,  I  was  so  thoughtless  and  hardened,  that  I  knew 
not  that  I  had  a  soul,  but  now  1  know  that  I  have  a 
guilty  soul,  saved  by  a  precious  Christ.  O,  blessed 
be  God  for  his  mercy,  and  for  permitting  me  to  hear 
the  gospel  from  your  lips.  Do,  Sir,  pray  for  me,  that 
I  may  be  kept  in  his  fear,  and  1  shall  not  forget  to 
pray  for  you  as  long  as  I  live." 

Another  person  liberated  from  the  State-Prison, 
called  upon  Mr.  Stanford  a  few  days  after  this,  to 
express  his  gratitude.  He  professed  to  have  received 
the  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of  the  Saviour  during 
his  imprisonment,  and  said  he  was  resolved,  by  the 
assistance  of  God,  to  bring  up  his  nine  children,  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord.  He  also  proposed  to  publish, 
at  his  own  expense,  a  short  history  of  his  conversion, 
for  the  benefit  of  others. 

Soon  after  this,  two  other  persons  from  the  same 
place,  called  to  express  their  thanks  to  Mr.  Stanford, 
for  his  paternal  kindness  to  them  while  in  prison. 
To  these  men  he  gave  further  religious  instruction, 
and  some  tracts  to  carry  home  to  their  families. 

In  the  afternoon,  he  accompanied  the  remains  of 
Mrs.  Graham  to  the  family  vault,  where  she  now 
rests  until  the  morning  of  the  resurrection. 

The  following  Thursday,  Mr.  Stanford,  by  appoint- 
ment, attended  at  the  Magdalen-House,  to  deliver  a 
funeral  sermon  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  Graham,  who 
was  first  directress  of  that  institution.  The  text  was, 
*'/,  Deborah,  arose  a  mother  in  Israel.'^''     Judges  v.  7, 

On  closing  the  services  for  the  first  Sabbath  in 
August,  he  remarks:- — "  This  day  is  to  be  remem- 
bered, for  the  pains  of  my  body,  the  depression  of  my 
mind,  and  the  merciful  supports  of  my  God."  After 
labouring  \y'\i\\  great  assiduity  during  this  month,  ho 
succeeded  in  engaging  the  services  of  other  ministers 
to  supply  the  public  institutions  during  his  absence ; 
and   once   more,   sought  to  retrieve  his  exhausted 


CONVERSION  OF  G.  B.  199 

Strength,  by  a  visit  to  the  country.  During  this  ex- 
cursion, he  preached  three  times  at  Poughkeepsie  ; 
and,  to  use  his  own  words,  he  returned  home  on  the 
following  week,  mor^  anxious  than  ever,  to  pursue 
the  work,  to  which' God  had  called  him,  amongst  the 
poor  and  destitute  of  New- York. 

September,  1815.  His  next  visit  to  the  State-Prison 
hospital  was  rendered  peculiarly  pleasant,  by  finding 
several  of  the  men  under  very  great  concern  of  mind, 
and  anxiously  inquiring  what  they  must  do  to  be 
saved.  In  the  hospital  he  found  one  man,  whose  in- 
teresting case  is  described  in  the  following  brief  nar- 
rative. 

Conversion  of  G •  13 -. 


'*  Coming  out  of  the  medical  office,"  says  Mr. 
Stanford,  "  I  was  requested  to  visit  two  sick  prisoners, 
in  an  adjoining  room.  The  first  I  conversed  with  did 
not  appear  very  sensible  of  his  miserable  condition,  or 
at  least  was  not  disposed  to  confess  it.  I  then  went 
to  the  other,  G.  B.  He  said  : — '  Sir,  I  am  very  low, 
and  do  not  expect  to  live;  but,  though  I  have  been 
one  of  the  worst  of  sinners,  God  has  showed  me  mercy 
in  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  am  quite  reconciled  to  die.  I 
have  hope  that  my  poor  soul  will  be  saved  by  the 
grace  of  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  I  atn  very 
thankful  indeed.'  I  congratulated  him  on  the  happi- 
ness he  enjoVed  amidst  the  gloom  of  this  prison,  and 
in  the  prospect  of  death  and  eternity.  When  he  had 
wiped  away  his  tears,  he  further  remarked : — '  Sir,  1 
do  not  think  you  know  me.'  1  answered,  that  having 
so  many  to  visit  in  this  house,  1  certainly  did  not  re- 
collect his  person.  '  You  will  remember.  Sir,'  he 
said,  '  that  in  November  two  years  ago,  you  were  sent 
for  to  visit  C R -,*  who,  with  others,  were 

•  It  was  late  at  night  in  1811,  when  Mr.  Roome  sent  a  messenger  to 
request  Mr.  Stanford  to  visit  C R .     The  darkness  of  the  night, 


200  A  BRAND  PLUCKED  OUT  OF  THE  FIRE. 

lying  in  the  chapel,  sick  with  fever.  I  am  sure  he  died 
a  happy  man.  My  dear  Mr.  Stanford,  though  it  has 
been  so  long  ago,  there  has  not  been  a  week,  but  that 
I  have  remembered  his  words,  and  your  prayer,  that 
we  miserable  creatures  might  have  the  salvation  of 
God.  Since  I  have  been  ill,  I  have  sought  the  Lord, 
and  he  has  given  me  peace  in  Christ.  I  hope  you  will 
not  go  away  till  you  have  prayed  for  me  and  my  fellow- 
prisoner  in  the  other  bed.'  After  prayer,  and  a  few- 
additional  remarks,  I  retired,  but  with  such  emotions 
of  heart  as  my  pen  cannot  describe.  He  died  the 
next  day,  perfectly  composed  ;  he  had  no  fear  of  death, 
and  gave  himself  up  to  the  Lord  as  his  Saviour.  Was 
not  this  '  a  brand  plucked  out  of  the  fir  eV  " 

October  6th.  Li  the  morning  Mr.  Stanford  visited 
several  rooms  in  the  Aims-House ;  conversed  and 
prayed  with  the  sick  and  the  aged.  Here  he  found 
several  persons  under  very  serious  impressions  about 
the  state  of  their  souls. 

The  Thursday  following  he  delivered  a  sermon  to 
the  females  in  the  State-Prison,  on  the  death  of  S. 

S ,  who  had  died  a  few  moments  after  he  left 

her,  on  the  preceding  Thursday.  The  text  was — 
"  Boast  not  thyself  of  to-morrow  ;  for  thou  knoicest  not 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth. ''^  Proverbs  xxvii.  L 
The  female  prisoners  were  very  serious  and  attentive. 

P S ,  an  elderly  man  whom  he  had  fre- 
quently visited,  and  who  had  for  many  weeks  been 
lingering  on  the  verge  of  the  grave,  presented  to  Mr. 

the  gloom  of  the  place,  with  here  and  there  a  glimmering  lamp,  produced 
sensations  to  which  he  had  not  before  been  accustomed.  "  Sir,"  said  the 
dying  man,  "  I  have  sent  for  yon,  to  tell  you  the  state  of  my  mind,  and  to 
ask  you  to  pray  for  me  once  more  before  I  die.  I  have  been  a  very 
wicked  sinner,  and  my  afflictions  are  just.  The  Lord  has  shown  me  the 
evils  of  my  life,  but  the  mercy  of  Christ  is  great  to  me,  and  I  am  willing 
to  die.  Your  sermons  have  often  touched  my  heart,  and  I  am  glad  that 
you  are  come,  that  I  may  thank  you  for  your  kind  attentions  to  us,  poor 
prisoners."    He  died  next  day,  rejoicing  in  the  Lord. 


INTERESTING  CASES.  201 

Stanford  the  following  statement  of  his  hopes  for 
eternal  bliss  : — "  In  ni3'self  [  am  a  condemned  worth- 
l^ss  sinner,  and  totally  lost — 1  justly  deserve  the 
wrath  of  God,  but  the  Lord  enables  me  to  look  for 
mercy  through  the  Saviour;  on  his  blood  alone  do  I 
rest  for  pardon,  and  hope  for  accej^tance  in  his  righ- 
teousness, in  the  great  day  of  judgment — 1  have  very 
little  expectation  of  recovery — 1  am  patiently  waiting 
for  the  time  wiien  the  Lord  will  call  me  to  himself." 

Friday,  October  22d.  This  day's  visit  to  the  Alms- 
llouse  was  attended  with  very  interesting  circum- 
stances. One  W'Oman,  who  anxiously  desired  to  see 
Mr.  Stanford,  said,  "  I  have  been  very  wicked.  I 
cannot  live  long.  I  wish  to  have  peace  with  God.'" 
She  was  accordingly  directed  to  the  great  Peace- 
Maker,  Jesus  Christ;  and,  his  ability  to  save  the  chief 
of  sinners  was  fully  explained  to  her.  "  After  prayer, 
which,"  Mr.  S.  says,  "  I  never  allowed  myself  to  omit," 
she  bitterly  lamented  her  sinful  and  w^retched  condi- 
tion, and  cried  for  mercy  through  the  blood  of  Christ. 

"  No.  36  is  inhabited  by  twelve  very  aged  females, 
only  two  of  whom  are  able  to  leave  the  room.  One 
of  them,  with  a  cheerful  countenance,  said  : — '  I  cannot 
stand ;  but  then  there  are  others  so  very  kind  to  me, 
that  tliey  carry  me  in  their  arms,  to  the  rooms  where 
worship  is  to  be  performed.'  O  how  delightful  it  is  to 
find  such  evidences  of  kindness  in  this  desolate  j)lace." 
One  very  aged  woman  in  this  ward,  who  was  dying, 
^aid: — "  God  has  taught  me  from  my  youth,  he  has 
kept,  and  provided  for  me,  to  old  age ;  and  I  am  the 
least  deserving  of  all  his  creatures.  But  *  /  knoio 
that  my  Redeemer  liceth^^  he  is  still  faithful  and  kind. 
My  greatest  burden  is,  that  my  love  and  gratitude  to 
him  are  so  very  cold." 

Wednesday,  8th.  Mr.  Stanford  spent  several  hours 
in  one  of  the  men's  wards  at  the  Aims-House.  There 
w^as,  in  the  minds  of  several  persons,  a  great  concern 
for  salvation. 


202  IMPROVEMENTS  IN  BRIDEWELL. 

That  Mr.  Stanford's  labours  among  the  poor  and 
wretciicd  of  our  city  was  a  work  of  pure  benevolence, 
rather  than  the  dull  routine  of  prescribed  duties,  may 
be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that  lie  omitted  no  means  of 
promoting,  at  once  their  temporal  and  their  eternal 
interests.  The  following  extract  from  his  diary  is  so 
truly  characteristic,  that  we  shall  give  it  in  his  own 
words. 

"  Monday,  November  IJth.  Attended  the  Bride- 
well. A  new  keeper  having  taken  charge  of  the 
establishment,  I  found  it  necessary  to  offer  him  some 
advice,  as  to  the  means  of  preserving  the  cleanliness 
and  health  of  the  prisoners,  by  appropriating  a  room 
for  the  sick,  &:c.  These  suggestions  he  received  with 
pleasure,  and  promised  to  adopt  them.  As  this  new 
keeper  and  myself,  have  made  an  agreement  to  assist 
each  other  in  our  respective  duties,  I  hope  the  Ijord 
will  enable  us  materially  to  improve  the  criminal  de- 
partment." 

"  Tuesday,  28th.  Attended  a  miserable  woman 
in  Bridewell,  sick  with  the  small-pox.  She  having 
no  other  bed  than  the  hard  floor,  I  thought  it  a  duty 
to  go  to  the  Aims-House  myself,  and  provide  her  with 
bed  and  bedding." 

"  Friday,  December  1st.  Went  to  Reed-street  to 
see  a  man  sent  out  of  the  hospital  as  incurable.  I 
think  1  shall  have  reason  to  rejoice  in  this  man's  sal- 
vation." 

"  Lord's  day,  3d.  Preached  four  times.  Morning 
at  the  City-Hospital  and  State-Prison.  Visited  the 
sick.  Afternoon,  again  at  the  State-Prison.  More 
than  usual  satisfaction  in  this  service,  which  appears 
to  have  been  useful  to  one  of  the  principal  officers  of 
the  institutions.  Attended  a  funeral.  Evening 
preached  at  the  Aims-House  ;  and  afterwards  went  to 
the  upper  ward  of  the  house  to  pray  with  two  dying 
persons." 

"  Monday,  4th.     Mr.  Sheriff  Bell  accompanied  me 


HIS  LABOURS  BLESSED.  203 

to  the  Bridewell  to  take  charge  of  two  of  the  unhappy 
men,  under  sentence  of  death." 

"  Thursday,  28th.  Morning,  attended  my  usual 
service  in  the  Orphan  Asylum  ;  afterwards  preached 
in  the  State-Prison,  and  visited  the  sick.  To-day 
eighteen  down  with  the  small-pox." 

On  the  following  morning  he  went  to  the  City- 
Hospital,  where,  in  one  of  the  wards,  he  found  a  little 
group  of  patients,  reading,  and  conversing  ahout  the 
Bible.  Some  of  them  were  under  serious  impressions 
of  mind ;  and  to  several,  the  word  of  God  had 
become  the  word  of  life.  Here  he  remarks: — "  I 
found  great  encouragement  when  I  heard  that  the 
Lord  had  blessed  my  feeble  efforts  to  their  instruction 
and  comfort;  and  in  the  most  tender  and  faithful 
manner  of  which  I  was  capable,  I  exhorted  them  to 
cleave  unto  the  Lord ;  and  left  them  with  prayer." 
He  found  a  similar  state  of  things  in  the  Aims-House ; 
many  of  the  poor  occupants  appeared  unusually  de- 
sirous of  instruction,  and  entreated  him  to  pray  for 

their  souls.     Amongst  them  there  was  a  Mrs.  C , 

aged  seventy-three.  She  was  a  native  of  Holland, 
but  had  resided  many  years  in  America.  A  variety 
of  adverse  providences  had  reduced  her  from  affluence 
to  poverty ;  but  of  her  it  might  truly  be  said,  she  is 
"  rich  in  faith."  Her  heart  seemed  to  be  filled  with 
the  love  of  Christ;  and  ^mid  all  the  infirmities  and 
pains  of  old  age,  she  was  patiently  waiting  for  the 
coming  of  the  Lord. 

On  the  Tuesday  following,  he  visited  eight  wards 
in  the  City-Hospital.  Among  the  patients  he  found 
two  men  under  very  serious  impressions  of  mind  ; 
and  one  in  particular  had  obtained  a  scriptural  view 
of  Christ,  and  the  way  of  salvation  through  his 
blood.  The  usual  evening  lecture  in  the  Aims-House 
was  in  a  peculiar  manner  blessed  to  the  souls  of  the 
people. 

Another  good  day's  work.     Thursday,  29th* 


204  ANOTHER  GOOD  DAl'^i  WORK. 

Early  in  the  morning  he  visited  a  dying  woman  at 
Greenwich.  Afterwards  performed  his  usual  service 
in  the  Ma^daleii-iiousc,  at  which  some  of  the  mana- 
gers were  present.  Immediately  after  this  he  walked 
to  the  United  vStates  Military-Hospital,  conversed 
with  the  sick  soldiers,  individually  ;  and  then,  taking 
his  stand  in  the  door  so  that  he  might  be  heard  in  the 
adjoining  rooms,  he  preached  a  sermon.  Having  an 
hour  to  spare  before  dinner,  he  visited  the  sick  in  the 
hospital  of  Colonel  Coldcn's  regiment,  and  offered 
prayer.  In  the  afternoon  he  delivered  two  sermons 
in  the  State-Prison,  and  visited  the  sick.  After  this, 
he  walked  home,  a  distance  of  nearly  two  miles,  grate- 
ful for  so  many  mercies,  and  earnestly  imploring  the 
blessing  of  God  upon  the  labours  of  the  day. 

The  day  following  he  preached  ^I'e  sermons,  in  the 
State-Prison,  Hospital,  and  Aims-House,  and  visited 
the  sick  in  three  different  rooms  in  Bridewell;  where, 
he  says,  "  I  never  knew  so  many  sick  at  one  time,  in 
this  place  of  confinement."  In  one  of  them  there 
were  ten  black  women,  all  of  them  down  with  typhus 
fever.  The  room  was  extremely  offensive,  and  the 
groans  and  cries  of  these  miserable  creatures  were  so 
piercing,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  he  could  suffici- 
ently compose  his  mind  to  perform  the  duty  of 
prayer.  They  were  indeed  very  sick ;  but  it  is  to  be 
lamented,  that  none  appeared  sick  of  sin,  or  were 
willing  to  hear  of  a  heavenly  physician.  So  true  is  it, 
*'  [kill,  and  I  make  alive.''''  God  must  wound  the  soul, 
or  it  will  never  seek  a  cure. 

Tuesday,  the  11th,  he  made  his  usual  visit  to  the 
City-Hospital.  '*  Among  the  patients,"  he  says,  *'  I 
picked  up  a  man  who  had  tried  to  be  a  deist,  but  now 
bis  conscience  would  not  let  liim.  Almost  deprived 
of  his  sight,  he  stood,  and  with  much  earnestness  lis- 
tened while  I  explained  to  him  the  evidences  of  the 
divinity  of  the  adorable  Saviour." 

Wednesday,  19th.     In  the  morning  he  again  visited 


OUT-DOOR  patients/  205 

the  old  Aims-House,  and  prayed  with  the  sick  and 
dying  in  several  rooms.  By  particular  request,  he 
rode  to  Bellevue,  where  the  new  Aims-House  was 
then  being  erected,  in  one  of  the  outer  buildings  of 
which,  a  number  of  sick  soldiers  were  placed  ;  amono- 
whom  he  found  the  man  he  was  requested  to  visit. 
This  unfortunate  individual  had  been  shot,  by  the  ac- 
cidental discharge  of  a  musket,  loaded  with  two  bul- 
lets. He  was  composed  in  mind,  and  no  stranger  to 
the  grace  of  God.  To  him,  therefore,  the  visit  of  a 
clergyman  could  not  be  otherwise  than  agreeable  ; 
and  after  conversation  and  prayer,  he  expressed  his 
unfeigned  gratitude. 

Thursday,  20th.  "  This  day,"  says  Mr.  Stanford, 
"  I  enter  my  sixtieth  year.  I  was  assisted  to  indulge 
some  serious  reflections  on  the  mercy  and  goodness  of 
God  to  me,  the  most  unworthy  of  his  creatures,  and 
to  offer  myself  in  prayer  at  the  throne  of  the  Lord, 
for  any  future  services  which  the  Saviour  may  re- 
quire. Preached  four  times  this  day,  and  made  an 
agreeable  visit  to  the  sick  soldiers  of  Colonel  Colden's 
regiment." 

Friday,  21st.  Early  in  the  morning  he  rode  to 
Bellevue  to  visit  the  soldiers,  and  particularly  the 
man  who  had  been  so  severely  wounded.  The  bullets 
having  been  extracted,  he  gradually  recovered,  and 
lived  to  praise  God  for  his  sparing  mercy. 

Lord's  day,  23d.  On  invitation  of  General  Mapes, 
Mr.  Stanford  preached  to  his  regiment,  in  a  field 
near  the  East-River.  Afternoon  to  the  church  in 
Fayette-street,  and  in  the  evening  to  a  large  assembly 
in  the  Aims-House. 

Thursday,  November  2d.  In  the  rtiorning  he  visited 
a  poor  sick  woman  in  his  neighbourhood.  Althouo-h 
his  more  immediate  duties  in  the  public  institutions 
rendered  it  extremely  diflicult  for  him  to  visit  out- 
door patients  of  any  description,  yet  when  they  were 
poor,  and  not  attached  to  anv  particular  congregation, 

18 


206  PAIIEONS. 

wc  finJ  hitn  ahviiys  willing  to  attend  tlicm;  and  it 
appears  that  liis  visit  to  this  poor  dying  creature,  was 
not  in  vain  in  t!ie  Lord.  Fro?n  t!>is  chamber  of  afiiic- 
tion,  ho  walked  to  tiio  j^Iagdalen-ilouse,  and  at  ten 
o'clock  delivered  a  disconrse  to  a  number  of  attentive 
females.  At  twelve  o'clock  lie  preached  in  the  United 
States  l\r:litary-lTosj)ital,  and  afterw^ards  visited  the 
sick  in  Colonel  Colden's  camp.  The  afternoon  was 
spent  in  the  State-Prison,  visiting  the  sick,  and 
preaching  t.vo  sermons,  in  diirerent  parts  of  the 
building:;  after  u'lich  he  wallicd  home,  and  retired 
into  his  chamber  to  praise  Cod  ibr  the  mercies  of  the 
day. 

Lord's  day,  November  fith.  At  eight  o'olock  in 
the  morning,  he  preached  in  the  City-llospital,  and 
at  ten  in  the  State-Prison  chapel.  This  being  the 
season  when  the  governor  of  the  state  usually  confers 
a  pardon  upon  such  of  the  prisoners  as  are  recom- 
mended to  his  clemency,  Mr.  Stanford  gave  a  dis- 
course to  the  criminals  at  two  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, on  Jeremiah's  deliverance  from  the  dungeon; 
and  closed  the  day  with  his  accustomed  services  in 
the  Aims-House. 

Lord's  day,  13th.  In  the  morning,  he  preached  at 
the  City-Hospital,  and  in  the  State-Prison  chapel. 
Returned  immediately  to  the  City-Hospital,  for  the 
purpose  of  visiting  two  dying  men  who  were  earnestly 
concerned  for  their  salvation.  In  the  afternoon  he 
preached  in  the  chapel  in  the  Debtor's-Prison,  and 
in  the  evening  to  a  large  company  in  the  Aims-House. 
"  This,"  he  says,  "  was  a  day  of  mercy  and  loving- 
kindness  from  the  Lord,  especially  in  the  State- 
Prison.  It  was  observed  by  the  visitors  in  the  gallery, 
that  a  number  of  the  prisoners  were  in  tears.  The 
subject  was — '  The  last  enemy  that  shall  he  destroyed ^ 
is  death, ^ " 

Thursday,  24th.  This  day,  though  very  unwell,  he 
walked  to,  and  from  Greenwich;  visited  the  sick,  and 


SERMON  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  ELIJAH  HUNTER.    207 

preached  four 'times.     In  the  State-Prison  he  had  the 

satisfaction  to  hear,  that  J.  D informed  the  head 

keeper,  that  eighteen  months  ago  the  Lord  liad 
l){esse(]  one  of  Mr.  Stanford's  discourses,  as  a  means 
of  guiding  him  to  the  Saviour.  This  prisoner  had 
heen  the  head  gardener,  conducted  himself  with  pro- 
j)riety,  and  died  trusting  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  Such 
instances  of  mercy  to  the  miserable,  demand  tiie 
most  devout  gratitude,  and  form  strong  encourage- 
ment for  persevering  in  the  good  work  of  the  Lord. 

Wednesday,  December  1st.  This  day  he  visited 
twelve  wards  in  the  Ahiis-llouse.  He  found  several 
of  the  paupers  near  death  ;  some  of  them  insensible 
to  their  situation,  and  others  ])raying  and  hoping  for 
mercy.  One  very  aged  person,  who  had  seen  days 
of  affluence,  w^as  rejoicing  in  tlie  hope  of  eternal  life 
through  Christ,  and  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the 
Lord.  Another  poor  creature,  half  dead,  was  in 
great  agony  for  the  salvation  of  her  soul. 

Tuesday,  7th.  Mr.  Stanford  walked  to  the  Mag- 
dalen-ilouse,  in  company  with  some  of  the  managers, 
and  performed  divine  service.  He  then  visited  the 
United  States  Military-Hospital,  and  after  sermon 
conversed  with  a  sick  soldier,  only  eighteen  years  of 
age.  This  youth  was  under  very  strong  convictions 
of  his  sinfulness,  and  need  of  a  Saviour  to  prepare 
him  to  meet  death.  While  ])rayer  was  offered  for 
him,  he  shed  many  tears,  and  it  is  hoped  that  in  the 
Lord  he  found  mercy  and  peace.  In  the  hospital  of 
the  State-Prison  he  found  two  criminals  earnestly 
engaged  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  After  the 
labours  of  the  day,  he  remarks  : — "  As  1  walked 
home,  I  was  assisted  sweetly  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord 
my  Saviour." 

On  the  first  Monday  in  January,  1816,  though  much 
enfeebled  by  the  la])ours  of  the  preceding  Sabbath, 
he  performed  the  mournful  service  of  preaching  a 
funeral  sermon  on  the  death  of  his  long-tried  friend, 


208   TWO  MEN  UNDER  SENTENCE  OF  DEATH. 

Elijah  Hunter,  Esq.  The  text  was,  "  I  have  finishal 
•my  coursed  Althou<^h  this  is  one  of  Mr.  Stanford's 
ablest  productions,  yet,  like  many  other  excellent 
sermons,  essays,  &:c.  must  be  omitted,  to  prevent  this 
volume  from  swelling  beyond  the  prescribed  dimen- 
sions. 

On  AVedncsday,  the  10th,  he  performed  his  usual 
services  in  tiie  Aims-House;  and  in  the  afternoon 
attended  the  Bridewell,  in  com])any  with  the  sherifl',  at 
which  time  the  parents  and  relatives  were  permitted 
to  converse  with  two  coloured  men,  who  were  under 
sentence  of  death.  The  meeting  was  truly  affecting. 
So  great  was  the  interest  which  he  felt  in  their  case, 
that  he  considered  it  a  duty  to  postpone  his  visits  to 
the  other  ])ubrjc  institutions,  and,  during  the  four  days 
])rior  to  their  execution,  to  devote  the  whole  of  his 
time  to  promote  the  interests  of  their  souls. 

The  following  statement  presents  another  instance 
of  his  indefatigable  labours,  as  the  minister  of  the 
poor. 

On  Thursday,  the  25th,  he  walked  to  the  Orphan- 
Asylum,  and  heard  two  classes  recite.  Presented  to 
each  of  the  monitors  a  grammar,  with  w^iich  they 
were  highly  pleased.  He  then  delivered  an  address 
on  the  death  of  a  pious  child;  after  which,  he  walked 
to  the  State-Prison,  and  preached  two  sermons;  then 
visited  the  sick,  and  walked  home  ;  but  so  much 
fatigued,  as  to  be  incapable  of  doing  any  thing  in  the 
evenino:.  The  dawn  of  the  followino;  day  found  him 
again  at  his  post,  in  the  active  discharge  of  his  duties. 

For  his  constant  and  faithful  labours  in  the  Orphan- 
Asylum,  he  received  the  following  letter  of  thanks 
from  the  directresses  of  that  institution. 

*'  REV.  SIR, 

"  The  Board  of  Directresses  of  the  Orphan-Asylum, 
sensible  of  your  active  benevolence  in  promoting  the 


LErrER  FIl'J.U  H'KN.  RICHARD  STANFORD.       209 

interests  of  their  institution,  have  requested  me  to 
express,  the  warm  aciinowledginents  of  their  grati- 
tude. 

"  Your  unwearied  attention  to  the  improvement  of 
the  children  under  their  charge,  in  that  knowledge 
which  '  mciketh  wise  unto  salvation^''  and  your  continual 
elForts  to  extend  the  usefulness  of  their  Asylum,  are 
duly  appreciated;  and  they  sincerely  hope,  your  ex- 
cellent advice  may  be  so  cherished  by  the  orphans, 
that  it  may  be  the  meaiis  of  reclaiming  the  vicious, 
of  preserving  sound  principles,  and  of  making  their 
future  lives,  useful  and  happy. 

"  The  address  you  delivered  before  their  orphans, 
on  occasion  of  the  late  afflictive  event  in  Philadelphia, 
when  the  Orphan  Asylum  in  that  city  was  destroyed 
bv  fire,  the  board  are  desirous  should  be  published  ; 
and  they  beg  you  v/ill  allow  them  to  defray  the 
expense. 

"  I  remain,  Rev.  Sir, 

*'  With  sentiments  of  great  respect,  your's, 

''  SUSANxNA  ONDERDONK,  Cor.  SecWy:' 

The  following  is  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  Richard 
Stanford,  to  our  venerable  friend. 

"  Wasldngton  City,  February  19,  1816. 

"  DEAR  SIR, 

"  Our  mutual  friend,  General  J.  Swift,  being  here, 
I  use  the  opportunity,  by  him,  to  make  to  you  my 
grateful  acknowledgments  for  your  favour  of  last 
summer,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Allison,  with  the  several 
presents  to  my  family  accompanying  it.  They  all 
reached  my  family  since  I  left  home,  and  Mrs.  Stan- 
ford has  transmitted  to  me  your  letter,  enjoining  it 
upon  me,  when  I  should  write  you,  not  to  forget  the 
tender  of  her  particular  respects  and  remembrance. 

"  By  the  General,  1  have  also  sent  you  a  small 
pocket  Bible,  which  I  must  request  you  to  accept,  a& 

18* 


210  DEATH  OF  HON.  RICHAKD  STANFORD. 

the  memento  of  my  regard,  and  sincerest  best  wishes 
in  your  behalf,  that  you  may  enjoy  the  peace  it  pro- 
mises, and  the  happiness  it  insures.  As  it  was,  you 
know,  the  first  promise  and  gift  of  God  to  estranged, 
fallen  man,  so  then  let  it  be,  between  us,  a  remem- 
brance, always  to  teach  us,  though  strangers  upon  the 
earth,  liow  we  may  become  fellow-citizens  in  heaven. 
* '  1  can  only  further  add,  that  1  continue  to  be  blessed 
with  tolerable  health,  and  feel  that  I  ought  to  be  more 
thankful  than  I  am,  for  blessings  bestowed  on  me  and 
mine. 

*'  Believe  me  to  be,  my  dear  Sir, 

*'  With  the  greatest  regard  and  respect, 
J  *'  Always  your  obedient  humble  servant, 

"  R.  STANFORD." 

Mr.  Stanford  commenced  his  diary  for  March,  1816, 
with  the  follow^ing  remarks. 

"  Lord's  day.  Began  this  month  vvith  more  than 
usual  engagedness  of  heart,  to  vi^alk  with  God,  aud 
to  be  more  useful  to  my  several  congregations." 

The  subjoined  extracts,  will  show,  that  his  zeal  did 
not  evaporate  in  the  heat  of  a  mere  experiment. 

"Tuesday,  12th.  Took  jny  usual  rounds  in  the 
City-Hospital,  and  found  the  coloured  people  very 
desirous  to  learn  to  read,  and  I  hope  I  shall  be  able 
to  establish  three  schools  amongst  them." 

Wednesday,  13th,  he  visited  nine  rooms  in  the 
Aims-House,  and  prayed  in  eight;  in  one  of  which  he 


*  The  Hon.  Richard  Stanford  died  at  his  lodgings  in  George-Town, 
on  the  9th  of  April,  1820.  He  was  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  a  repre- 
sentative in  Congress  from  the  State  of  North-Carolina,  aged  47  years. 
His  complaint  was  the  erysipelas,  originating,  it  is  believed,  in  a  connnon 
cold.  He  had  been  a  n)eniber  of  the  House  of  Representatives  for  near 
twenty  years,  and  Vvas,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  the  oldest  member  of  the 
Iiouse.  In  private  life,  he  was  universally  esteemed  and  respected,  as  an 
upright  man,  and  a  highly  useful  member  of  society.  From  respect  to  his 
memory,  Congress  actjourned  for  two  days,  and  all  the  members  of  both 
houses  attended  his  funeral. 


NEW  ALMS-HOUSE.  211 

found  many  persons  in  dying  circumstances,  lo  whom 
he  preached  the  word  of  life. 

Monday,  the  29th,  Mr.  Stanford  opened  the  chapel 
of  the  new  Alms-House,  by  preaching  a  sermon  from 
Psalm  ix.  18. 

The  following  article,  describing  that  interesting 
occasion,  is  taken  from  the  Commercial  Advertiser 
for  April  30. 

"  I  was  yesterday  present  at  the  opening  and  con- 
secration of  the  elegant  chapel  of  the  new  Aims-House, 
at  Bellevue,  and  1  think  1  never  saw  so  solemn  and 
interesting  a  scene  in  the  whole  course  of  my  life. 
The  religious  cerenjonies  were  performed  by  the 
Rev.  and  venerable  Mr.  Stanford,  the  chaplain,  who 
delivered  a  very  eloquent  and  impressive  discourse 
from  the  words — '  For  ike  needy  shall  not  always  he 
forgotten  ;  the  expectation  of  the  poor  shall  not  perish 
for  ever.'  He  incorporated  with  his  discourse,  a  brief 
view  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  humane  institutions 
in  this  cit}^  jiarticularly  of  the  establishment  which 
this  extensive  buildino-  is  desioned  to  continue.  The 
congregation  assembled  on  this  occasion  were  very 
respectable;  and  besides  the  honourable  the  Corpo- 
ration, I  noticed  some  of  our  first  characters,  and 
many  strangers  of  distinction.  It  is  sincerely  to  be 
wished,  that  the  sermon  should  appear  in  print,  as  it 
will  be  read  with  very  great  interest." 

This  discourse  was  printed  by  order  of  the  Cor- 
poration. The  subjoined  note  is  an  extract,  contain- 
ing an  abridged  account  of  the  places  provided 
at  different  periods,  for  the  poor  of  the  city,  which,  it 
is  hoped,  will  not  be  witliout  interest  to  the  readers 
of  this  volume.  It  v/ould  seem  to  be  peculiarly 
desirable,  while  writing  the  memoir  of  the  man,  who 
was  emphatically  the  minister  of  Christ,  to  the  poor 
of  New- York,  at  the  same  time,  to  give  a  succinct 
history  of  the  institutions  in  which,  with  so  much  zeal 
and  success,  he  continued  for  many  years  to  labour^ 


212  MANUSCRIi'T  BOOK  LO::-T. 

This  it  was  the  oi'ii?inal  desiijn  of  t!ie  writer  to  have 
furnished,  from  the  ample  materials  provided,  in  a 
manuscript  vohime  prepared  by  Mr.  S.  and  j)rese»ited 
to  the  Common  Council.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  that 
notwithstanding  the  most  dihgent  searcli,  assisted  by 
the  hite  mayor,  Vv'alter  Bowne,  Esq.  and  others,  we 
have  been  unable  to  find  this  vahiable  book,  which, 
by  means  that  remain  involved  in  mystery,  has  been 
abstracted  from  the  archives  of  the  city^* 


*  "  In  proportion  as  the  light  of  t;ie  gospel  h:is  haeii  difTn^ed  through 
our  land,  the  history  of  the  poor  has  become  increasingly  interesting. 
Searcliingthe  public  records  of  this  city,  we  tind  that  under  the  old  admin- 
istration, the  number  of  its  inhabitants,  in  16139,  amounted  to  six  thousand 
souls.     The  poor,  at  this  early  period,  received  partial  relief  in  their  own 
habitations,  or  lodgings -.vera  provided  for  them  by  the  Vestry.    Johannes 
De  Peyster,  Esq.  was  then  mayor.     In  1707,  greater  attention  was  paid 
tu  the  indigent.     Every  ])erson  provided  with  food  and  clothing  wore 
a  badge  upon  the  sleeve,  formed  of  the  letters  N.  Y.  in  blue  or  red  cloth. 
As  population  increased,  certain  persons  of  humanity  and  opidence,  in 
]714,  presented   a   well  v.'rittea  petition   to   Robert   Lurting,    Esq.  the 
mayor,  and  to  the  Corporation,  on  the  utility  of  erecting  a  substantial 
building  for  tlie  reception  of  various  classes  of  poor,  and  as  a  house  of 
correction.     Whereupon  J'lessrs.  Roome,  Bayard,  Fell,  and  Burger,  who 
were  aldermen,  with  th;ee  other  gont'emen,  v.ere  appointed  a  committee 
to  select  a  suitable  piece  of  ground,  and  to  purchase  materials  for  the 
purpose.     They,  eventually,  chose  a  spot,  then  called  the  Vineyard  ;  the 
very  place  on  which  now  stands  our  City-flall.     The  house  erected  was 
sixt}--five  feet  by  twenty -four,  tv.o  stories  high,  with  good  cellar  apart- 
ments.    The  front  room  to  the  right,  was  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the 
superintendent;   the  first  of  whoin  was  John  cSeabring.   The  upper  room, 
on  the  west  side,  was  used  as  an  infirmary;  the  first  physician  of  which 
w-as  Dr.  John  Van  Buren,  grandfather  of  the  present  Dr.  Van  Buren,  of 
this  city  ;  who  held  his  othce  tliirty  years.     His  salary  was  one  hundred 
pounds  a  year;  oat  of  which  he  found  his  own  medicines.     Trustees,  by 
an  annual  election,  were  appointed  to  the  institution,  who  regularly  met 
once  a  week.     The  description  of  persons  received  to  this  house  were — 
the  indigent  poor,  the  sick,  the  orphan,  the  maniac,  and  the  refractory. 
This  house  for  the  poor,  was  supported  out  of  what  was  then  called  the 
Minister's  Fnnd,  a  smaU  tax  upon  the  inhabitants,   and   by  voluntary 
contributions,  which  sometimes  were  very  liberal.     Besides,  the  clergy 
of  this  city  benevolently  took  their  turn,  weekly,  in  preaching  the  gospel 
to  the  poor. 

"  When  the  v.-ar  commenced  l>etvveen  England  and  America,  in  the 
vear  1776,  it  became  necessary  to  remove  the  poor,  first  to  Vv^est-Cliester, 
and  afterwards  to  Poughkeepsie,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  John  Forbes. 
During  the  war,  however,  the  poor  and  the  refractory  were  received  into 
the  Ahns-House,  then  under  the  care  of  Mr.  William  Littlewood ;  who 
was  permitted  to  draw  king's  rations  for  nine  months,  to  support  the 


RESIGNATION  IN  DEATH.  213 

In  his  diary  for  the  month  of  May,  he  says : — "  Two 
of  my  sick  patients  in  the  village  died  yesterday,  in 

poor.  After  this,  the  Corporation  appointed  Siiinncl  Bell,  Esq.  grand- 
Jiither  to  the  present  deputy  sherilT,  Mr.  Jam^s  Bell,  to  the  office  of 
f  uperiutendent  of  the  establishment. — In  consequence  of  the  destructive 
Mre  which  took  place  in  this  city  on  the  21st  September,  177lj ;  three 
hundred  destitute  persons  were  received  into  this  institution. 

'•  On  the  establishment  of  the  Independence  of  America,  Chrisliau 
>>enevoleuce  to  the  poor  assumed  still  more  cheering  features.  The  poor 
who  were  fostered  in  Poughkeepsie,  returned  to  the  city  under  the  super- 
intendence of  Mr.  Samuel  Dodge.  Several  out  buildings  were  .'^oon 
erected  on  the  premises,  to  make  the  Alms-Honse  more  commodious. 

'*  The  increase  of  population,  and  the  great  inrlux  ol'  emigrants  from 
\arioas  parts  ofEiu^ope,  so  exceedingly  added  to  the  number  of  the  poor, 
that  it  became  indispensably  necessary  to  erect  a  more  commodious  Aims- 
House,  in  Chamber-street;  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  old  site  left  a 
favourable  space  for  erecting  the  present  City-lJail.  This  house  is  of 
l>rick,  two  hundred  and  sixty  feet  by  forly-four;  with  two  projectiofis  in 
front,  of  liflceu  by  thirty.  Possession  of  this  establishment  was  taken  in 
1795. 

"  From  the  more  opulent  and  benevolent  part  of  the  community,  about 
this  period,  a  spirit  of  philanthropy  began  still  more  eminently  to  appear 
in  favour  of  the  needy  and  the  destitute.  For  these  purposes,  various 
societies  have  been  successi^'ely  established — here  are  public  charity 
schools  for  indigent  children — the  widow,  with  small  children,  are  fostered 
by  a  society  of  females — by  another,  clothing  is  provided  for  the  naked — 
by  a  provident  society,  the  in)prisoned  debtors,  and  other  necessitous 
persons,  are  supplied  with  refreshments — aged  widows,  who  once  saw 
better  days,  are  aided  with  necessary  comforts  to  alleviate. their  sorrows 
while  closing  the  period  of  life — here,  too,  as  one  of  the  brightest  orna- 
ments of  our  city,  exists  an  asylum  for  helpless  orphans,  where  they  are 
tenderly  fostered,  and  receive  such  education  and  religious  instruction  as 
])romises  the  greatest  advantage  to  the  children,  and  to  the  general  com- 
munity. While  these  several  acts  of  benevolence  are  honourable  to 
•uiman  nature  and  to  our  citizens,  all  must  confess  that  tliey  are  tlie  fruit 
of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  we  so  plentifully  enjoy. 

"For  wise  purposes,  and  combining  a  greater  number  of  objects,  the 
Corporation  of  our  city  have  erected  this  establishment  at  liellevue — the 
rhapd  of  which,  we  this  day  open  for  divine  worship,  is  sixty  by  forty-five 
feet,  and  thirty  in  height,  with  three  spacious  galleries,  the  whole  finished 
with  great  neatness.  The  first  stone  of  this  building  was  laid  August  1, 
1811,  by  the  Honourable  De  Witt  Clinton,  mayor  of  the  city.  The  pre- 
mises, at  present,  occupy  about  seventeen  acres  of  ground  The  building 
itself  is  three  hundred  and  twenty  feet  by  fifty;  with  two  wings,  one 
hundred  by  fifty  feet.  Two  hospitals  are  in  the  rear,  [seventy-five  by 
twenty -five  feet,  three  stories  high.  A  penitentiary  is  also  erected  for  the 
confinement  of  those  who  have  committed  petit  larceny;  likewise  a  spa- 
cious work-shop,  two  hundred  feet  by  twenty -five.  To  these  extensive 
buildings  will  be  added  separate  schools  for  the  male  and  female  children, 
to  receive  a  plain  education,  and  religious  instruction;  in  hope,  that  by 
the  blessing  of  God  they  may  become  useful  citizens. 


214      SABBATH  BREAKERS  CONVERTED. 

perfect  resignation  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  so  that  my 
labours  are  not  altogether  in  vain,  however  truly  un- 
wortliy  I  am." 

Friday,  the  lllh,  he  went  to  the  new  Alins-IIouse, 
visited  thirty  rooms^  and  offered  prayer  in  more  than 
hair  of  them.  "  In  this  service,"  he  says,  "  I  foutid 
much  communion  with  my  Lord.  Carried  four  Bibles, 
and  some  tracts  for  the  prisoners  in  the  Penitentiary. 
This  to  me  was  a  refreshing  day's  work.  Praise  tlie 
Lord!" 

August  18th.  This  day  Mr.  Stanford  was  assisted 
to  preach  with  unusual  satisfaction  at  the  Aims- 
House,  wdiere  he  was  informed,  that  the  gospel 
preached  on  the  preceding  Lord's  day,  had  been 
blessed  to  three  young  lads,  who,  while  breaking  the 
Sabbath,  had  strolled  into  the  place.  After  this  they 
came  regularly  to  hear  him,  until  they  made  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  and  became  members  of  dif- 
ferent churches  in  this  city.  In  the  morning  a  young 
Jew  came  to  hear  the  gospel,  and  was  very  attentive. 
After  service  he  sliook  hands  with  Mr.  S.  and  accoui- 
panied  him  to  the  State-Prison  chapel,  in  which  he 
preached  nt  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  At  five, 
he  again  preaclied  at  the  Debtor's-Prison ;  and  at 
half-past  seven,  in  the  Mulberry-street  church. 

On  the  IGth  of  October,  he  walked  to  the  State- 
Prison,  where  he  preached  two  sermons  in  the  chapel, 
and  after  visiting  the  sick,  he  received  the  following 


"  Several  years  since,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  presenting  to  the  honour- 
able the  Corporation.  :i  |)lan  for  establishing'  an  asylum  for  vagra.nt  youth. 
Many  of  this  description,  for  a  great  length  of  time,  apparently  without 
parents  or  friends  to  foster  their  tender  years,  have  infested  our  streets, 
markets,  and  wharves;  too  frequently  committing  depredations  on  the 
public,  and  ruining  themselves.  And,  it  is  a  fact,  that  for  the  want  of 
such  an  asylum,  there  are  now  many  criminal  children  consigned  to  the 
State-Prison.  It  v\ould,  indeed,  be  a  luxury  to  my  heart,  to  live  and  see 
an  asylum  of  this  description,  in  which  such  young  unfortunites  might 
be  rescued  from  vice,  inured  to  habits  of  industry,  and  receive  such 
education  as  may  reniler  them  u^reful  to  the  public." 


LETTER  FROM  GOVPTRKGR  TCJIPKINS.  215 

letter,  signed   by  fifteen   prisoners,  wlio   liad  beccme 
anxious  about  the  salvation  of  their  souis. 

*'  SIR, 

"  Convinced,  that  you  desire  to  assist/  tho^e  wlio 
are  willing  to  assist  themselves  in  the  important  duties 
of  religion,  1  am  induced  by  tlie  request  of  a  number 
of  my  fellow-prisoners,  to  solicit  the  aid  of  your  in- 
fluence with  the  authority  of  this  prison,  (in  case  it  is 
not  contrary  to  its  regulation,)  to  let  us  have  a  room 
to  ourselves,  as  there  are  fifteen  of  us,  who  wish  to 
spend  our  evenings  in  reading  the  Molu  Scriptiirci-^ 
and  other  religious  books  for  our  mutual  edification  ; 
and  in  prayer  to  that  God  whom  we  have  so  griev- 
ously offended.  The  reason  of  this  request  is,  that 
we  may  be  of  service  to  each  other  in  our  united  re- 
searches, and  that  we  may  be  more  quiet  and  undis- 
turbed than  we  can  be  in  the  other  rooms.  We  can 
assure  you,  Mcv.  Sir,  that  it  is  not  for  any  ostentatious 
or  hypocritical  show,  or  that  we  may  obtain  favours 
of  men,  but  that  we  may  obtain  the  more  desired 
favour,  the  forgiveness  of  God,  through  the  mediation 
of  a  crucified  Saviour,  to  the  salvation  of  our  souls." 

The  following  letter  will  furnish  an  additional  evi- 
dence of  the  favourable  views,  which  enlightened 
men,  entertained  respecting  the  services  of  Mr.  Stan- 
ford. 

From  Governor  Tompkins  to  Mr.  Stanford. 

*'  Castleton,  Statert-Idand,  Odohcr  31,  181G. 

"  DEAR  AXD  REV.  SIR, 

"  Exceedingly  do  I  regret  that  any  cause  should 
have  deprived  me  of  your  contemplated  visit,  as  I 
can  assure  you  it  would  have  given  me  sincere  plea- 
sure to  have  seen  you  here. 

"Do  not  continue  to  withhold  from  me  your  obser- 


216  COXDITIOXAL    PAUDOiVS. 

vations  on  conditional  pardon?.  That  subject  Iia?; 
lately  occupied  my  mind  much  ;  and  I  have  thought 
that  conditions  of  a  totally  different  kind,  might, 
with  more  propriety  and  etrect  he  substituted  for  those 
now  inserted  in  pardons. 

"  I  acknowledge  a  repetition  of  your  friendly  at- 
tention, in  the  grateful  acceptance  of  two  additional 
copies  of  your  sermon  ;  and  return,  with  my  thanks, 
an  assurance  of  high  personal  regard  and  esteem. 

"  DANIEL  D.  TOMPKINS 

Upoa  the  subject  above  referred  to,  Mr.  S.  pre- 
sented an  able  docuiuent  to  the  Legislature,  entitled, 
*'  Observations  on  Conditional  Pardons  granted  by 
the  Executive,  to  Criminals  in  the  ^tate-Prison  of 
New-York. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

»m.  STANFORD    BEGINS  THE  YEAR    WITH    ACTIVE    EXERTIONS 

TO    ADVANCE     THE     CAUSE     OF    TRUTH INTERVIEW     WITH 

PRESIDENT  MONROE — DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  STATE-PRISON 
LETTER    TO  UOVERNOR  CLINTON HIS  REPLY. 

On  the  7th  of  February,  1817,  Mr.  Stanford  visited 
the  hospital  in  the  New  Aims-House,  and  afterward 
went  into  the  Penitentiary  adjoining,  to  organize  a 
school  for  the  instruction  of  the  more  ignorant  amongst 
the  miserable  inmates.  In  the  main  building  he  estab- 
lished a  singing  school,  which  became  very  popular, 
not  only  as  a  means  of  adding  to  the  information,  and 
interesting  the  minds  of  the  children  ;  but,  by  con- 
tributing to  the  improvement  of  the  sacred  music  in 
the  chapeh 

March  2d.  "  Last  evening"  says  Mr.  S.  "  myself 
and  family  were  much  alarmed  by  a  person  who  se- 
creted himself  in  the  house,  no  doubt  for  the  purpose  of 
plunder;  and  was  discovered  only  by  a  singular  Pro- 
vidence." As  the  intruder  was  making  his  escape,  a 
person  present  endeavoured  to  seize  him,  but  Mr.  S. 
with  his  usual  facetiousness,  said,  "  Let  the  poor 
fellow  go,  he  is  perhaps  one  of  my  Greenwich  (State- 
Prison)  congregation,  and  I  shall  no  doubt  meet  him 
again,  where  we  may  talk  this  matter  over  at  our 
Isisure." 

In  the  month  of  June,  Mr.  S.  visited  Mr.  Monroe^ 
the  president  of  the  United  States,  then  on  his  way 
to  the  eastern  states;  and  invited  him  to  inspect  the 
institutions  under  his  care.  The  invitation  was  cor- 
dially accepted,  and  the  president,  attended  by  many 
gentlemen  of  distinction,  accompanied  the  venerable 

19 


218  VISIT  OF  rilESIDEXT  fllONROE. 

chaplain  to  the  State-Prison,  the  Orphan-Asyhini, 
and  Ahns-House  at  Bellevue,  and  was  pleased  to  ex- 
press liis  great  pleasure  in  witnessing  the  perfect 
order  of  the  several  schools,  and  the  evident  moral 
improvement  of  those  committed  to  Mr.  Stanford's 
charge. 

Upon  this  point,  it  may  not  he  uninteresting  to 
quote  the  words  of  those,  whose  means  of  information, 
and  personal  observation,  enable  them  to  give  a  cor- 
rect opinion.  The  selection  in  this  instance  is,  in 
part,  from  a  document  printed  by  order  of  the  gover- 
nors of  the  New-York  State-Prison. 

"  Schools, — Among  the  convicts,  tliere  are  always 
some  men  of  handsome  literary  acquirements.  In 
the  winter  season,  the  most  capable  of  these  are 'em- 
ployed in  teaching  the  boys,  and  such  uneducated 
men,  whose  conduct  since  their  im])risonment  lias 
been  unexceptionable,  in  reading,  writing,  and  arith- 
metic. 

■'  Their  improvement  has  in  many  instances  sur- 
passed expectation,  and  much  good,  it  is  believed, 
has  resulted  from  this  arrangement." 

As  early  as  the  year  1815,  Mr.  Stanford  had  or- 
ganized seven  schools  in  this  institution,  in  which 
were  taught,  not  merely  the  elementary  branches  of 
an  English  education,  but,  in  some  instances,  Latin 
and  the  mathematics. 

For  the  benefit  particularly  of  the  youth,  Mr.  S. 
composed  an  evangelical  Catechism, which  was  printed 
by  order  of  the  Inspectors.  In  this,  amongst  other 
studies,  they  were  examined  once  every  month.  This 
duty  w'as  generally  performed  in  the  chapel,  and  in 
the  presence  of  the  head  keeper,  and  such  visitors  as 
might  choose  to  be  present.  "  The  last  examination," 
says  Mr.  S.  "  was  truly  solemn  and  interesting. 
The  number  of  youth  present,  from  the  age  of  eleven 
to  fifteen,  was  sixty-seven."  Many  unfortunate 
young  persons,  who  enter  within  the  walls  of  this 


THE  CHAPLAIN  HIGHLY  COMMENDED.  219 

gloomy  place,  are  totally  i<^norant  of  letters;  but, 
through  the  blessing  of  God,  upon  the  efforts  of  their 
teachers,  they  go  away  with  a  good  education.  These 
schools  are  open  only  in  the  evening,  so  that  there  is 
no  interruption  of  their  daily  labour. 

^'■Worship. — The  apartment  appropriated  for  Chris- 
tian worship  is  a  fine  airy  room,  and  will  contain  about 
six  hundred  persons.  Every  Sunday  the  chapel  is 
opened  for  divine  service.  The  Rev.  John  Stanford 
is  the  chaplain.  During  worship  the  general  deport- 
ment of  the  convicts  is  decent  and  correct  :  many  of 
them  join  in  prayers  and  in  singing,  with  apparent 
zeal  and  devotedness  to  religious  exercise;  and  fond 
hopes  are  entertained,  that  a  perseverance  in  this 
course  will  have  a  lasting  and  salutary  effect  on 
many,  after  the  period  of  their  confinement  shall 
have  expired. 

"  Much  credit  is  due  to  the  chaplain  for  his  un- 
wearied and  persevering  exertions  in  procuring  for 
the  prisoners  the  advantages  which  a  regular  per- 
formance of  divine  worship  is  calculated  to  afford. 
And  not  only  to  the  convicts  are  these  advantages 
extended :  the  neighbourhood  also  partake  of  them, 
many  persons  in  the  vicinity  being  in  the  constant 
practice  of  attending  worship  in  the  prison.  To  the 
same  exertions  the  school  establishment  in  this  peni- 
tentiary is  also  greatly  indebted.  In  fine,  the  inde- 
fatigable zeal  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stanford  in  attempting 
to  better  the  temporal  state  of  the  convicts,  and  to 
promote  their  eternal  w^elfare,  is  deserving  much 
commendation." 

To  show,  that  literary  and  moral  instruction  was  not 
bestowed  in  vain  uj)on  the  miserable  inmates  of  the 
State-Prison,  we  shall  present  a  few  additional  in- 
stances of  convicts,  who  have  died  in  the  Prison, 
triumphing  in  the  hope  of  a  blissful  immortality, 
throuorh  the  atonins;  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

While  any  instance  of  a  sinner's  repentance  ere- 


220  CONVERSION  OF  H.  T. 

ates  joy  among  the  angels  in  heaven,  it  is  equally  a 
cause  of  exultation  and  praise  in  the  Church  ot*  God 
upon  the  earth.  But  when  we  penetrate  the  gloom 
of  a  prison,  and  see  the  hardened  criminal,  in  his 
chains,  bowing  his  obdLirate  soul  to  the  sceptre  of 
mercy,  his  heart  and  mind  experiencing  a  change, 
the  very  reverse  of  his  former  character,  we  may 
justlv  exclaim,  "  Is  not  this  a  brand  i}lucl:ed  out  cf  i'le 
firef' 

The  hearts  of  all  unconverted  men,  are  estranged 
from  God;  and  nothing  short  of  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  can  regenerate  and  reconcile  the  sinner  to 
God.  When,  therefore,  vre  behold  those  who  have 
lon«:  been  familiar  with  crime,  who  have  gloried  in 
the  bondage  of  Satan,  and  whose  habits,  like  fetters 
and  chains,  have  been  so  strongly  ri vetted  as  to  out- 
brave the  frown  of  public  reprobation ;  when  such  are 
reclaimed  and  brought  to  abhor  their  former  charac- 
ter, to  love  and  obey  the  adorable  Saviour,  and  to  de- 
vote every  power  of  their  sonls  to  God,  we  do  then 
witness  a  triumph  over  the  powers  of  darkness,  which 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  alone  has  power  to  achieve. 

The  conversion  of  H T . 

*'  This  man,"  says  Mr.  S.  "  had  been  confined  in  the 
hospital  of  the  prison  several  weeks  l)y  a  severe  fever  ; 
and  although  I  had  conversed  with  hi-in  often,  I  could 
<yet  no  information  which  indicated  penitence,  until  this 
day.  '  You  know  not.  Sir,  what  a  vile  sinner  I  have 
been.  All  my  days,  I  have  been  working  against  God, 
and  now,  how  glad  I  should  be  to  work  for  him.  I  wish 
he  would  work  upon  my  miserably  hard  heart,  but  I 
have  little  expectation  that  he  will  do  it.'  '  How  long 
is  it  since  you  first  had  these  impressions  of  mindf* 
*  About  nine  months:  but  I  have  kept  them  to  myself. 
I  did  not  like  to  speak  to  you ;  and  my  fellow-prisoners 
would  only  laugh  at  me.'  '  Do  you  now  feel  the  im- 
portance of  receiving  the  salvation  of  the  l4)rd  V     *  O 


CONVERSION  OF  H.  T-  221 

yes,   Sir,  that  I  do,  for  if  God  does  not  save  me,  1 
must  die  a  jiiiserable  sinner!'     He  fainted.     On  re- 
viving, he  said: — '  I  do  suppose  I  must  soon  die;  1 
cannot  live  long;  I  have  nothing  to  ask  but. mercy 
from  God,  but  1  have  been  so  wicked  I  do  not  expect 
it.     O  Lord,  help,  help  me!'     I  assured  him  that  he 
could  not  possibly  feel  too  sensible  of  his  sinful  condi- 
tion; on  the  contrary,  the  more  humble  and  penitent, 
the  more  welcome  would  he  beat  the  throne  of  mercy. 
Of  course  1  exjjlained  to  him  the  unbounded  ability  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  save  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  that  the 
Spirit  of  God  could  enlighten  his  mind,  and  give  him 
faith  to  rest  upon  the  promises  of  the  gospel.     To  this 
he  replied: — 'I  have  been  driven  by  my  sins  to  so 
great  a  distance  from  God,  and  I  am  so  ignorant,  that 
1  know  not  how  to  go  to  him.     I  pray  as  well  as  I 
can,  but  1  fear  nothing  will  do.'     My  visits  were  fre- 
quently  repeated,  and  I  found  him  very  urgent  for 
instruction.     The  other  prisoners  informed  me,  that 
he  was  constant  in  prayer. 

"  After  sermon  on  the  Lord's  day  morning,  I  was 
informed  that  his  disorder  had  taken  an  unfavourable 
turn,  and  that  there  was  very  little  expectation  of  his 
recovery.  He  said,  '  Mr.  Stanford,  I  have  earnestly 
desired  to  see  you ;  I  think  I  view  things  in  a  different 
light  now.  Every  day  I  feel  more  and  more  that  1 
am  a  guilty  wretch.  But  still  God  gave  his  Son,  and 
Christ  died  to  save — God  gives  promise  to  penitents 
— God  knows  that  I  am  one,  and  I  pray  that  I  may 
be  saved.     But,  O  Sir,  I  want  to  feel  it  before  I  die.' 

"  On  my  next  visit  he  was  very  low  indeed,  but  his 
mind  was  tranquil.    I  said,  '  I  hope  I  find  you  better?' 

*  I  think  I  grow  worse.'  '  How  do  you  find  your  mind  ?* 

*  Very  different  to  what  it  was  when  you  were  here 
last.  1  now  feel  reconciled  to  God,  and  cast  myself 
into  the  hands  of  my  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.'  *  Did 
you  ever  enjoy  such  satisfaction  before?'  '  Sir,  I 
never  did.     I  always  stifled  the  convictions  of  my 

19* 


222  HAPPY  DEATH  OF  H.  T. 

conscience,  and  despised  religion.  1  have  been  very 
w^icked,  but  the  mercy  of  God  is  great  to  me  beyond 
measure ;  none  but  God  could  have  ])rodiiced  such  a 
change  in  my  wicked  mind.  I  now  have  liope  that 
God  will  not  cast  me  away,  though  1  deserve  it.'  The 
next  day  he  died,  trusting  in  the  mercy  of"  God, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Hoping  that  the  Lord  would  bless  his  word  to  the 
relief  of  those  who  witnessed  this  impressive  scene,  I 
delivered  a  discourse,  in  the  hall,  from  Nehemiah  v.  19 
— '  Think  upon  me,  my  God,  for  good,''  which  they 
might  all  hear  in  their  respective  rooms.  After 
which,  the  following  lines  w^ere  sung  : — 

*■  When  with  life's  heavy  load  oppress'd. 
I  bend  the  trembling  knee, 
Then  give  my  suffering  spirit  rest, 
Dear  Lord,  remember  me ! 

'  O!  let  me  on  the  bed  of  death, 
Thy  great  salvation  see. 
And  cry  with  my  expiring  breath, 
Dear  Lord,  remember  me!'" 

On  Wednesday,  the  16th,  after  examining  the 
children,  and  delivering  a  discourse  in  the  Orphan- 
Asylum,  Mr.  S.  preached  in  the  State-Prison  ;  and 
received  the  delightful  information,  that  it  had  pleas- 
ed God  to  bless  his  conversation  with  a  sick  woman 
in  the  Aims-House  ;  who,  shortly  after  her  removal 
to  the  house  of  a  friend,  died,  triumphing  in  the  grace 
of  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Wednesday,  December  10th.  Mr.  S.  remarks, 
"  I  performed  my  usual  services  at  the  Orphan-Asy- 
lum and  State-Prison.  A  prisoner  expressed  liis 
gratitude  that  the  Lord  had  reached  his  heart,  by 
the  word  and  power  of  his  grace." 

"  What  deep  obligations  am  I  under  to  my  blessed 
Lord,  for  his  forbearance  and  goodness  to  me  during 
another  year!     Although  in  my  sixty-third  year,  he 


LETTER  FROM  GOVERNOR  CLINTON.  223 

has  enabled  me  to  labour  far  beyond  my  most  san- 
guine expectations.  And  as  the  Lord  has,  during 
the  year,  been  pleased  to  bless  my  feeble  services  to 
the  benefit  of  many  of  the  poor  and  wretched,  the 
whole  of  the  praise  I  give  to  his  glory,  and  rest 
myself,  as  the  most  unworthy  of  all,  upon  the  pure 
mercy  of  God  in  Christ.     Amen." 

Mr.  Stanford  preached  four  times  on  the  second 
Lord's  day  in  February,  1818;  but  on  Monday  morn- 
ing* following,  while  preparing  a  discourse  for  the 
Bridewell  in  the  afternoon,  and  finishing  a  long  com- 
munication to  Governor  Clinton,  on  the  subject  of  pri- 
sons, he  was  suddenly  prostrated  by  a.  paralysis  of  his 
whole  pierson,  and  although  the  best  medical  aid  was 
instantly  aiforded  him,  yet  his  recovery  was  for  several 
days,  very  doubtful.  On  Friday  evening  his  mental 
faculties  resumed  their  functions,  and,  as  he  opened 
jiis  eyes,  he  began  to  repeat  the  23d  Psalm — "  The 
Lord  is  my  Shcjjherd,^^  S/c.  In  a  few  weeks  he  was  so 
fur  restored,  as  to  be  able  again  to  write  to  the  Gover- 
nor of  the  state,  concerning  a  man  under  sentence  of 
death.  During  his  confijiement,  he  also  prepared  a 
Catechism  for  the  use  of  the  schools  in  the  Alms- 
ilouse. 

The  following  extract  from  Governor  Clinton's 
letter,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  tlie  document 
just  referred  to,  will  shov/  the  opinion  which  that 
great  statesman  and  profound  scholar  entertained 
of  the  talents  and  usefulness  of  our  venerable  friend. 

''Albany,  March  15///,  1818. 

"  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  J  received  your  paper  on  prisons,  and  conceive  it 
a  very  judicious  one,  founded  on  accurate  observa- 
tion, and  a  deep  insight  into  human  nature. 

"  In  presenting  my  thanks  for  this  ofteri ng  to  tiie 
public  good,  I  cannot  withhold  the  expression  of  my 
regret  for  the  illness  you  have  experienced.     That 


224  THE  SANDBANK. 

a  life  so  useful  may  be  prolonged  and  rendered  more 
and  more  beneficial,  is  tlie  sincere  wish  of 

"  Your  devoted  friend, 

"DE  WITT  CLINTON." 

On  Friday,  the  20th  March,  after  visiting  the  sick 
in  the  Hospital  at  Bellevue,  and  attending  more  wards 
than  common,  he  j)reached  in  the  Penitentiary,  at 
two  P.M.  After  service  he  went  to  see  a  dying  fe- 
male prisoner.  She  was  in  a  most  distressed  state 
of  mind.  Her  cries  for  mercy  were  truly  affecting. 
While  Mr.  S.  prayed,  most  of  the  females  around  her 
were  in  tears.  After  this,  he  says,  "  I  examined  the 
school,  and  on  my  return  home  stopped  at  the  City- 
Hospital  to  visit  and  pray  with  four  dying  patients.', 

"  Lord's  day,  April  2Gth.  This  to  me  was  one  of 
the  most  painful  Sabbaths  I  ever  experienced.  The 
paralysis  with  which  I  have  been  afflicted,  affected 
my  brain  to  such  a  degree  as  to  prevent  all  study 
yesterday,  and  yet  I  have  had  to  preach  ji\)e  times. 
In  the  morning  I  had  more  the  sensations  of  dying 
than  living ;  yet  I  enjoyed  strono-  confidence  in  mv 
God." 

On  the  22d  of  July  Mr.  S.  received  a  certificate 
of  membership  in  the  "  Philadelphia  Society  for  al- 
leviating the  Miseries  of  Public  Prisons." 

Tuesday,  the  18th  of  August,  he  visited  the  City- 
Hospital.  Ward  No.  14,  is  chiefly  occupied  by  Ro- 
man Catholics.  \.w  the  corner,  lay  a  patient  who  once 
was  a  professor  of  religion.  As  the  spokesman  of 
his  wicked  companions,  he  asked  3Ir.  S.  several  ques- 
tions. Among  others  was  this — When  Christ  said  to 
Peter,  *  uimn  this  rock  icill  I  build  my  church,''  did  he 
mean  Peter  or  himself?  To  which  Mr.  S.  replied  : 
"He  surely  could  not  mean  Peter,  for,  in  his  self-con- 
fidence he  more  resembled  a  sandhank  than  a  rock. 
He  denied  his  Lord,  and  would,  but  for  the  grace  of 
God,  have  been  equally  capable  of  denying  the  churcli^ 


LETTER  FROM  REV.  PETER  MORTIMER.    225 

It  is  happy  for  us,  therefore,  that  we  have  Christ,  the 
rock  eternal,  on  which  to  buihl  our  hopes." 

Another  day  of  holy  toil.  Lord's  day,  the 
23c].  In  the  morning  Mr.  S.  preached  twice  at  tlie 
Uity-Hospital,  then  rode  to  Bellevue,  and  preached 
twice  in  the  chaj)cl.  Immediately  after  this  he  rode 
to  the  "  Swamp  Church,"  and  preached.  These^^rt' 
scr?uo/Js  were  delivered  between  half-past  eight  in  tlie 
morning  and  five  in  tlie  afternoon. 

The  following  highly  interesting  letter  is  from  the 
brother  of  the  universally  beloved,  and  much  lamented 
Rev.  Benjamin  Mortim.er,  late  cf  this  city. 

'yHcmhiif,  Scftcmber  5lh^  1818. 
"  rev  sir, 

*'  Bishop  Kcichel  has  delivered  to  ine  your  valua- 
ble present  of  the  Domestic  Chaplain,  and  other 
pieces.  The  book  I  have  read  repeatedly  with  much 
pleasure  and  edification,  and  I  sincerely  render  yon 
iny  thanks  for  it.  As  for  your  "  Humane  and  Crimi- 
nal Institutions,''''  you  seem  to  think,  that  similar  so- 
cieties may  be  formed  in  this  country.  Hut  such 
voluntary  societies  are  quite  unknown  in  this  country, 
and  indeed  on  the  whole  continent  of  Europe.  They 
thrive  only  in  England  and  America.  It  is  a  wonder 
tliat  Bible  Societies  have  been  established  ;  it  v.ould 
never  have  been  possible,  had  not  the  {)arent  society 
held  out  the  hope  of  pecuniary  aid.  And  even  with 
this  encouragement  they  couJd  not  be  established 
without  the  approbation  of  government.  The  kings 
of  Saxony,  Prussia,  Wurtemberg,  and  other  princes, 
have  signified  their  ap])robation  ;  but  in  the  Austrian 
and  Bavarian  Dominions,  no  Bible  Societies  can  exist, 
because,  government  has  forbidden  ihem.  You 
see  here  the  difference  between  liberty  and  despotism. 
It  is,  however,  amusing  to  observe  with  what  success 
the  smugglinp:  of  Bibles  goes  on  in  those  hostile  regions. 
Bishop  Reichel  tells  me  that  my  brother  is  much  like 


226  CONVERSION  OF  W.  L. 

me,  (we  have  never  seen  one  another)  but  he  is  seven- 
teen years  younger  than  I  am.  It  is  now  fifty-three 
years  that  I  am  in  Germany. 

"  Yours  in  the  gospel, 

<^  PETER  MORTDIER." 

On  the  9th  of  the  following  month  Mr.  S.  visited 
all  the  rooms  in  the  front  building  at  Bellevue,  thirty- 
six  in  number;  and  though  very  much  fatigued,  he 
preached  in  the  Penitentiary,  and  afterw^ards  examin- 
ed the  school. 

On  Wednesday,  the  l]th  of  November,  he  says — 
*'l  preached  twice  in  the  State-Prison,  and  enjoyed  a 
most  ufratifvinf!^  conversation  with  one  of  the  con- 
victs,  who,  since  his  residence  in  the  prison,  has  drunk 
deeply  of  the  cup  of  salvation."  As  this  is  an  inter- 
esting case,  of  the  conversion  of  a  poor  old  Afri' 
can  we  shall  subjoin  a  brief  extract,  which  embraces 
the  narrative. 

Conversion  of  W L . 


^'  This  is,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  "  a  very  old  black 
man.  A  native  of  Guinea.  I  have  frequently,  and 
with  great  pleasure,  conversed  with  him ;  his  answers 
were  short,  pertinent,  and  impressive.  I  wish  I  had 
taken  earlier  notes  of  his  conversation.  To-day  I 
a.^ked  him  of  his  state  of  mind.  In  his  vernacular 
dialect,  he  answered — '  Massa  parson,  my  pain  be 
very  great.  My  heart  look  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  he  only 
my  support.  Massa,  I  no  one  else  to  look ;  he  make 
me  patient.     Bless  you,  massa.' 

*'  February  10th.  AVilliam,  how  do  you  do  ?  '  Very 
well,  massa,  tank  God  and  you  too,  massa.'  William 
what  is  it  makes  you  so  comfortable?  '  Jese  Christ 
be  my  Friend  and  Saviour  too,  massa.  God  be  very 
good  to  me  poor  creature.  I  dont  want  to  live  ;  I 
want  to  go  to  heaven,  massa.'  Dont  you  know  that 
Christ  is  the  v^•ay,  the  truth,  and  the  life,  and  that  none 


LETTER  FROM  HON.  THOxMAS   J.  SPICER.        22t 

come  unto  the  Father  but  by  him  ?  '  O  yes,  please 
you,  massa,  I  know  dat,  and  his  way  good  enough  for 
me,  poor  creature  !  I  shall  be  there  by-and-by. 
Den  1  have  no  more  pain,  no  more  sin,  dat  be  best 
of  all,  massa  parson.  I  praise  him  all  de  time, 
neber  leave  off.' 

*'  When  I  saw  him  again  he  was  very  low,  and  all 
he  said  to  me  was — '  Massa,  when  my  eyes  open,  1  look 
to  de  Almiglity,  he  my  hope,  he  no  forsake  me. 
Massa,  I  hang  on  him  all  day  long,  till  night  come. 
And  when  I  wake  in  de  night,  de  Lord  be  still 
very  good.' 

'*  March  24th.  He  died  this  niolit  exclaiminsr, 
*  Now  I  die  ! — happy  for  me  die  !'  " 

Tuesday,  the  17th,  Mr.  S.  remarks — "  I  went 
early  to  the  State-Prison  to  breakfast  with  Governor 
Clinton  and  other  gentlemen,  and  had  much  interest- 
ing conversation  with  them  on  the  subject  of  the 
public  institutions." 

The  following  letter  from  the  Hon.  Thomas  J. 
Spicer,  is  so  perfectly  coincident  with  the  view  of  Mr. 
S.  as  a  philanthropist,  which,  in  this  memoir  we  have 
attempted  to  give,  that  we  cannot  allow  ourselves  to 
omit  its  insertion. 

^'■New-Orleans^  November  Oik,  1818. 

"  MUCH  RESPECTED  FRIEND, 

"  My  inchnation  has  frequently  prompted  me  to  do 
myself  this  pleasure,  but  heretofore  not  having  any 
thing  to  communicate  that  could  be  worthy  of  your 
attention,  1  have  remained  silent — but  now  having  it 
in  my  power  to  give  you  an  o])portunity  of  indulgirg 
yourself  in  your  favourite  employment,  'the  cause  cf 
humanity' — which,  although  it  will  be  attended  wiih 
considerable  labour,  I  am  confident  will  meet  yoi  r 
most  prompt  attention. 

"Enlightened  men  have  adopted  a  State  Penitc: « 


228        LETTE'l    FROM  HON.  THOMAS  J.  SPICER* 

tiary,  as  the  most  humane  mode  of  punishment,  and 
best  caUudat(Hl  to  reform  the  minds  of  such  of  our 
unhappy  fellow  creatures  as  have  run  so  long  in  the 
broad  road  of  vice,  that  crimes  have  been  added  to 
their  sins,  and  justice  has  claimed  them  as  her  own  ; 
yet  with  a  due  regard  to  her  sway,  many  souls,  no 
doubt,  have  been  saved  l)y  a  timely  repentance, 
though  under  the  solitary  influence  of  prison  walls. 

"  Tiiis  has  been  often  reahzed  to  me,  when  I  iiave 
observed,  under  your  influence,  on  the  Sabbath,  the 
true  repentance  so  visible  in  the  conduct  of  your 
too  numerous  cono^reoration  at  the  New-York  State- 
Prison ;  and  remarked  in  your  weekly  visits  with 
Vr'hat  cheerful  countenances  they  met  your  fatherly 
advice  ;  and  how  happy  had  been  the  effect  of  your 
previous  attention  to  their  spiritual  concerns;  and 
when  I  contrast  this  state  of  things  with  the  situa- 
tion of  the  country  in  which  1  have  become  a 
citizen,  I  have  been  fully  impressed,  that,  under 
your  guidance,  I  may  be  enabled  to  alleviate  the  situa- 
tion of  the  many  criminals  who  daily  come  under  our 
judicatory  control;  and  also  be  instrumental  in  doing 
a  service  to  the  state,  by  stimulating  the  judiciary 
to  a  more  general  punishment  of  crime,  and  by  the 
establishment  of  a  penitentiary,  abolish  the  degrad- 
ing punishment  of  whipping,  which  punishment  I  con- 
sider only  calculated  to  prostrate  the  noble  mind  of 
man,  to  the  level  of  the  brute  creation.  For  where  is 
the  man  whose  feelings,  even  if  they  have  become 
blunted  by  repeated  crimes,  does  not  view,  with 
horrors  worse  than  death,  the  dreadful  punishment 
of  whipping,  in  the  presence  of  the  scum  and  rabble  of 
a  populous  city. 

"  How  preferable  and  how  humane  would  be  an 
establishment  on  the  plan  of  that  in  which  you  ofrici- 
ate  in  New-York,  as  its  chaplain,  and  director  of  tiie 
reforming  mind  ;  and  to  view,  at  a  future  day,  the 
change  from  a  common  dungeon,  where  the  prisoner 


LETTER  FROM  HON.  THOMAS  J.  SPICER.         220 

becomes  more  liardened  by  his  confinement  and  pun- 
ishment, to  a  penitentiary  estabhshed  upon  so  hu- 
mane a  system,  wliere  happy  effects  would  equally 
result  to  God,  the  state,  and  the  criminal. 

"  The  population  of  this  country,  composed  of  a 
heterogenous  mass,  has  caused  crime  to  become  fa- 
miliar to  us,  and  loudly  calls  for  severe  punishment 
on  the  offenders  of  the  laws  of  the  country;  neces- 
sity must  soon  compel  the  executive  to  act  promptly ; 
at  which  time  our  prisons  will  be  insufficient  to  hold 
the  criminals  who  may  be  convicted,  and  we  shall  see 
improper  and  unnatural  punishment  resorted  to,  in 
order  to  free  the  state  from  the  trouble  of  retaining 
them  in  confinement,  or  shall  be  compelled  to  witness 
the  ravages  of  a  race  of  men  who  resort  to  this 
place,  as  secure  from  punishment,  and  free  to  violate 
the  laws  of  God  and  man  with  impunit}^ 

"  You  may  discover,  by  my  too  brief  remarks  on 
this  subject,  that  I  am  about  to  request  much  of  you; 
but  when  I  reflect  that  future  ages  will  revere  your 
name  for  the  plan  of  such  an  institution,  I  must 
request  that  you  will,  with  the  least  possible  delay, 
forward  to  me  a  full  and  complete  plan,  with  every 
necessary  advice,  to  enable  me,  under  your  direction, 
to  promote  the  establishment  of  a  Penitentiary  for  the 
state  of  Louisiana. 

"To  point  anything  out  to  you  on  the  subject 
would  be  presumption  in  me,  for  among  your  humane 
actions  and  studies  1  have  discovered  that  this  has 
claimed  your  particular  attention,  and  I  rest  assured 
that  I  shall  be  in  receipt  of  every  thing  necessary  for 
the  legislature  to  act  upon  during  the  winter  session, 
which  may  end  on  the  1st  of  March,  1819. 

"  Please  remember  me  to  your  amiable  family  and 
many  friends,  and  believe  me  to  be, 

*'  Still  your  willing  pupil, 

"THOMAS  J.  SPICER/' 

20 


2-30  AN  INFANT  DISCIPLE, 

The  above  letter  was  answered,  by  forwarding  to 
Mr.  Spicer  the  documents  required,  including  Mr. 
Stanford's  excellent  "  Memorial  on  Prisons,  addressed 
to  the  liegislature  of  the  State  of  New-York,"  several 
years  before.  This  is  a  valuable  paper,  full  of  dis- 
criminating and  practical  remarks,  but  must  bo 
omitted  for  want  of  room. 

December  2d.  Mr.  S.  walked  to  the  Orphan-Asy- 
lum, and  gave  a  discourse,  with  much  satisfaction. 
Another  child  died  this  day,  and  although  only  seven 
years  of  age,  he  gave  very  satisfactory  evidence  of 
Imving  obtained  converting  grace,  and  died  rejoicing 
ia  the  Lord. 

"  No  tears  for  thee  be  shed, 

Blossom  of  being,  seen  and  gone  ! 
With  flowers  alone  we  strew  tby  bed, 
O  tless'd  departed  one  ! 

"  We  rear  no  marble  o'er  thy  tomb ; 

No  sculptar'd  image  there  shall  mourn ; 
Ahf  fitter  far  the  vernal  bloom. 
Such  dwelling  to  adorn." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

INDEFATIGABLE    LABOURS,    AND    GUEAT    ENCOURAGLMENT. 

TuKSDAY,  January  26,  1839.  Mr.  Stanford  preached 
two  sermons  in  the  City-Hospital,  and  afterwards 
visited  all  the  wards,  and  had  some  agreeable  conver- 
sation with  a  man  whom  the  Lord  had  converted  from 
the  delusions  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  He 
said,  "  O !  Sir,  I  for  ever  renounce  the  Church  of 
Rome  ;  now  Jesus  is  all  my  hope  ;  he  is  my  physician 
for  soul  and  body." — "  Heard  of  the  happy  death  of 
a  magdalen,  to  whom,  for  several  months,  I  have 
administered  the  gospel ;  and  in  the  afternoon  preach- 
ed twice  in  the  State-Prison.  This  w^as  a  day  of 
mercies." 

'  Tuesday,  February  2d,  he  went  to  Bellevue  to  xnc^t 
the  Corporation  on  subjects  of  interest  to  the  Aims- 
House  and  Penitentiary ;  and  afterwards  visited  a  sick 
lady,  who  informed  him,  that  she  and  her  husband 
attended  a  course  of  his  lectures  more  than  twenty- 
six  years  before,  and  that  the  Lord,  through  his 
means,  had  brought  them  both  to  a  knowledge  of 
himself. 

In  the  month  of  August  he  attended  **  The  Hud- 
son River  Association,"  and  opened  the  session  by 
preaching  a  sermon  from  Acts  xxviii.  15.  He  was 
afterwards  unanimously  elected  as  moderator,  and 
presided  during  the  deliberations  of  this  body,  with 
his  usual  dignity  and  ability. 

Tuesday,  the  31st,  he  visited  the  two  upper  wards 
of  the  City-Hospital,  and  preached  twice.  At  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  by  request  of  the  governors 
and  physicians,  he  performed  divine  service  in  the 


232         THE  GOSPEL  PRKACIIED  TO  LUNATICS. 

lunatic  (lejiartnient.  The  luifortiinate  inmates  hc- 
liavcd  with  the  greatest  decoriini,  and  the  occasion 
was  one  oi'dccj)  interest.* 

*'  Lord's  day,  September  12th.  Began  the  duties 
of  this  day  under  great  conflict  of  mind.  In  the 
morning  j)reached  at  the  City-Hospital.  Rude  to 
Bellevue  and  officiated  with  some  freedom  in  the 
chapel,  and  to  the  bkicks  in  the  Penitentiary.  In  the 
afternoon,  again  in  the  chapel;  and  in  ilie  ]>resenc(? 
of  the  congregation,  I  examined  the  children  in  their 
catechism,  whose  answers  gave  great  satisfaction  to 
the  assembly." 

Monday,  the  27th,  Mr.  S.  made  several  profitable 
visits  to  out-door  patients,  two  of  whom  were  near 
death.  One  of  these,  aged  about  twenty,  received 
her  first  serious  impressions  under  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Stanford,  and  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith. 


*  Adjoining  the  City-Hospital  is  a  considerable  building,  which,  on 
June  15,  1808,  was  appropriated  for  the  reception  of  lunatic  patients.  A 
few  years  after  this,  it  was  mentioned  to  the  Governors  of  the  Hospital. 
that  if  divine  service  could  be  performed,  and  an  instructive,  consoling 
discourse  delivered  once  a  week  to  the  more  tranquil  of  the  patients,  tie 
compassionate  Saviour  might  be  pleased  to  accompany  the  effort  with  hi* 
blessing.  To  this  recommendation  they  very  cordially  acceded,  and  on 
tlie  afternoon  of  August  3Jst,  1819,  the  intended  service  commenced. 

About  forty  of  the  most  composed  of  the  patients  were  assembled,  and 
several  of  the  governors,  the  physicians  of  the  house,  and  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  Hospital  attended  on  the  occasion.  The  patients  conducted 
with  great  propriety,  and  many,  of  their  own  accord,  kneeled  while  prayer 
was  offered,  and  several  expressed  their  thanks  at  the  close  of  the  service. 

To  a  service  of  this  kind,  performed  in  a  Lunatic  Asylum,  some  medi- 
cal gentlemen  have  objected,  that  it  had  a  tendency  to  discompose  i\w 
rainds,  and  increase  the  malady  of  the  patients.  Such  inifavourabla 
effects  may  indeed  be  produced  by  injudiciously  selecting  those  subjects 
which  are  of  an  alarming  and  perplexing  nature,  but  the  gospel  an- 
nounces the  Saviour's  power  and  grace,  "  To  Ihid  up  the  hrolccn  in  heart, 
and  to  heal  all  their  wounds.''^ 

For  every  affliction  to  w'hich  sinful  man  is  heir,  there  is  a  remedy  in 
the  gospel  of  Christ.     Luke  iv.  18. 

"  Earth  has  no  sorrow  which  heaven  cannot  heal." 

So  far,  therefore,  from  the  gospel  being  injurious  to  a  lunatic,  it  is  he.i- 
ren's  great  Catholicou.  provided  by  the  great  Physician  for  the  discuu- 
solate. 


MR.  STANFORD'S  LABOUilS  APPRECIATED.      233 

Thursday,  21st.  This  day  Mr.  S.  visited  the 
Bridewell,  and  found  that  Brown,  the  Catholic,  sen- 
tenced to  be  executed  on  the  following  day,  had  re- 
jected his  priest,  crucifix,  beads,  <fec.  and  was  much 
concerned  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul. 

On  the  following  morning  he  went  to  the  cell  of  the 
condemned  man,  and  preached  to  him  .Tesus,  the  only 
Saviour  of  sinners.  At  twelve  o'clock  the  prisoner's 
chains  were  removed,  and  he  was  brought  into  the 
yard,  where,  in  the  presence  of  a  solemn  multitude, 
Mr.  Stanford  delivered  an  appropriate  address,  and 
prayer  ;  after  which  the  procession  moved  forward  to 
the  place  of  execution. 

In  the  month  of  November,  Mr.  Stanford  was 
unanimously  elected  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
THE  New-York  Hospital.  This  furnishes  another 
evidence  of  the  high  estimation  entertained  of  his 
private  and  public  character. 

"  31st.  Through  divine  mercy,"  says  Mr.  S.  '*  I 
have  been  assisted  to  preach  this  month,  fifty-six 
times,^^  And  at  the  close  of  the  month  following,  he 
remarks — "  Amidst  hopes  and  fears,  pleasures  and 
pains,  the  Lord  has  enabled  me  to  preach  forty-nine 
sermons.''''  And  again,  on  the  31st  of  December — 
**  Thus  the  Lord  hath  helped  me  yet  another  year, 
amidst  numberless  infirmities,  and  enabled  me,  during 
the  year  just  closed,  to  preach  five  himdred  and  forty- 
seven  ti?n€s.^^ 

That  the  public  services  of  Mr.  S.  were  highly 
appreciated,  will  appear  from  the  following  vote  of 
approbation. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Governors  of  the  New- York 
Hospital,  first  month,  (January)  4th,  1820. 

Jj.  A  report  was  received  from  John  Stanford.  On 
motion,  resolved,  that  the  report  be  accepted,  and 
that  the  assiduity  and  attention  of  John  Stanford  to 
his  ardous,  religious,  and  benevolent  duties,  meets 

20* 


234  SIX  SERMONS  PREACHED  IN  ONE  DAY. 

with  the  cordial  ajjprobation  of  this  Board  ;  and  the 
Secretary  is  directed  to  furnish  him  with  a  copy  of 
this  minute. 

<*  Extract  from  the  minutes, 

"  THOMAS  BUCKLEY,  SecTctargr 

April  14th,  1820.  Mr.  S.  visited,  and  gave  a  dis- 
course in  the  men's  hospital  at  Bellevue.  Tiiis  was 
an  affecting  occasion.  Criples  of  almost  all  ages,  from 
the  child  often,  to  the  hoary  head  of  fourscore  years. 
One  man  came  from  the  next  room,  crawling  on  hi.f 
hands  and  knees,  having  lost  both  his  feet.  All 
were  solemn,  and  some  incjuired  what  they  must 
do  to  be  saved.  After  this  he  visited  and  prayed  in 
several  wards,  in  one  of  which  he  spent  some  time  in 
conversation  with  a  pauper,  seventy-three  years  old, 
who  was  hardened  in  sin.  A  woman,  at  the  great  age 
of  ninety-eight  years,  gave  good  evidence  of  her  dis- 
cipleship,  and  love  to  Jesus  Christ.  After  visiting 
the  female  hospital,  he  preached  in  the  Penitentiary, 
and  examined  the  boys  in  their  catechism.  Tiien 
gave  a  discourse  to  the  lunatics,  and  finished  the 
arduous  duties  of  this  day,  with  an  examination  of  tho 
school. 

On  the  21st,  he  remarks — ''  It  uas  gratifying  to 
see  with  what  pleasure  my  poor'people  received  this 
day's  visit.  In  every  ward,  the  Bible  was  put  into 
my  hands  for  reading,  and  in  prayer  they  were  seri- 
ously engaged." 

August  27th.  This  day  Mr.  S.  preached  no  less 
than  six  sermons  in  six  different  places,  to  several  of 
which  he  was  under  the  necessity  of  walking. 

Friday,  September  15th.  He  preached  Jive  tunes 
at  Bellevue,  and  attended  two  schools,  besides  visiting 
and  praying  with  the  sick.  After  this,  he  rode  to  the 
State-Prison  to  see  George  Vanderpool,  but  he  had 
taken  wing  for  heaven. 


NARRATIVE  OF  GEORGE  VANDERPOOL.    235 

The  following  brief  extract  from  the  narrative  of 
the  life  and  death  of  George  Vanderpool,  is  so  truly- 
interesting,  that  we  shall  present  it  to  the  reader. 

When  criminals,  doomed  by  the  laws  of  their 
country  to  an  ignominious  death,  are  brought  to  re- 
pentance, and  obtain  salvation  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  the  joy  of  angels  finds  its  counterpart 
in  the  heart  of  every  good  man.  Tliis  was  verified 
in  the  case  of  George  Vanderpool,  a  young  man  of 
colour,  who,  with  Ishmael  Frazer,  was,  on  December 
4th,  1815,  condemned  to  be  executed  for  the  crime  of 
arson,  or,  the  burning  of  an  inhabited  dweliing-houso 
in  Washington-street. 

From  a  memorandum  which  Mr.  Stanford  received 
from  Vanderpool,  in  his  own  hand  writing,  it  appears 
that  he  vvas  born  free,  in  tlie  year  1795.  His  father 
died  when  he  v/as  eight  years  of  ago,  and  he  was  iiept 
at  school  by  his  niothcr  until  he  vras  twelve,  ffis 
mother  was  a  very  pious  woman,  and  made  a  practice 
of  taking  him  with  her  to  church.  In  this  habit  he 
continued,  until  the  fatal  period  when  he  became  the 
victim  of  abandoned  associates,  from  whom  he  learned 
the  demoralizing  practice  of  gambling.  This,  ho 
confessed,  was  the  principal  means  of  introducing 
him  to  a  desperate  gang  of  men,  in  connection  with 
wliom  lie  eventually  committed  the  crime  for  which 
he  was  condemned  to  suffer  an  ignominious  death. 

"  The  day  after  sentence  was  passed  upon  these 
two  criminals,"  says  Mr.  S.  "  the  Sheriff  accompanied 
me,  to  take  the  ministerial  charge  of  them.  The 
outer-door  of  the  prison  which  leads  to  the  condemned 
room  being  opened,  1  heard  the  piercing  cries  of  men, 
imploring  mercy  from  God.  I  found  them  chained 
to  the  floor,  and  their  faces  greatly  distorted  by  an 
guish.  After  the  Sheriff'  had  informed  them  of  the 
intention  of  my  visit,  they  renewed  their  lamentations 
so  violently,  that  it  was  difficult  for  me  to  address 
them.     As  I  was   leaving  the  room,  George  wrung 


236    NARRATIVE  OF  GEORGE  VANDERPOOL. 

his  hands,  and  with  tears  gushihg  from  his  eyes,  ex- 
claimed, '  O  that  God  would  have  mercy  on  my  soul, 
then  I  would  willingly  die  !' 

"  By  soothing  advice,  in  a  few  days  these  unfor- 
tunate men  were  ahle  to  listen  to  my  admonitions, 
with  a  degree  of  calmness.  I  folded  down  two  or 
three  pages  of  scripture,  particularly  Isaiah  i.  18  ; 
requesting  them  to  seek  the  Lord  by  prayer,  to  bless 
his  own  word  to  their  souls.  I  likewise  gave  them  a 
tract  on  '  The  Way  of  Salvation,'  and  commended 
them  to  the  mercy  of  God. 

"  Early  in  the  next  week,  I  found  the  mother  of 
Vanderpool  in  the  Bridewell,  waiting  to  accompany 
me  to  visit  her  son,  for  the  first  time  since  his  con- 
demnation. The  meeting  between  them  was  too 
affecting  for  description.  The  wretched  son,  covered 
with  shame,  and  filled  with  remorse,  had  scarcely 
power  to  embrace  his  mother.  Overwhelmed  with 
grief,  he  exclaimed: — '  My  mother,  O  my  mother! 
pray  for  my  soul!'  After  such  a  scene,  it  was  with 
much  difficulty  I  could  compose  my  mind  sufficiently 
to  pray  for  the  prisoners,  and  the  unhappy  female. 

"  On  my  next  visit  1  found  Vanderpool  composed, 
and  attentively  reading  his  Bible.  With  a  deep  sigh 
George  said,  *  Sir,  do  you  think  there  may  be  hope 
of  mercy  for  such  a  poor  wretch  as  1  am  ?'  For  his 
encouragement  I  explained  to  him  Micah  viii.  18,  19, 
and  concluded  my  visit  with  prayer. 

"At  my  next  visit  I  was  exceedingly  gratified  to 
find  them  both  in  the  exercise  of  penitence,  and 
reading  their  Bibles.  From  conversation,  I  could  not 
but  indulge  a  hope,  that  God  had  shown  George  the 
iniquity  of  his  heart. 

"  At  my  next  visit  Vanderpool  handed  me  his 
Bible,  and  directed  my  attention  to  these  words-^ 
'  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest."*  '  This,'  said  he,  '  suits  my 
case.'     While  the  tears  were  gushing  from  his  eyes. 


KARIIATIVE  OF  GEOKGK  VANDI.RrOOL.  237 

he  exclaimed,  '  O  that  the  Saviour  would  fulfil  this 
promise  to  me,  and  give  me  rest  in  his  mercy,  then  I 
would  rather  die  than  hve,  thougli  I  must  be  hung.' 
His  grief  was  so  overwliehiiing,  that  i  immediately 
offered  a  prayer  to  the  Lord,  for  Piiercy  to  the  soul 
of  this  unhappy  young  man. 

"  When  i  saw  him  on  the  following  day,  "S'andrr- 
pool  said,  '  [  was  reading  the  account  of  the  death  of 
Christ,  and  took  notice  of  his  mercy  to  the  pcniteiit 
thief,  which  encouraged  me  to  pray  that  the  Lord 
would  remember  me  too.'  As  soon  as  George  could 
fecover  his  feelings,  lie  adverted  to  a  sermon  1  ho'd 
lent  hiuj,  preached  in  the  State-Prison,  (1815,)  on  the 
death  of  an  unfortunate  youth;  which  he  said  more 
than  any  thing  else  convinced  him  of  the  necessity  of 
sincere  repentance  in  the  sight  of  God.  I  left  him 
with  prayer,  apparently  more  sensible  than  at  my 
former  visit. 

"  The  time  appointed  by  the  judge  for  the  e.vccu- 
tion  of  these  two  criminals,  now  drew  near.  Van- 
derpool  said,  '  To-morrow  will  be  my  last  Sabbat ii 
day  on  earth,  and  I  pray  to  God,  it  maj^  be  the  best 
day  I  ever  had.  O,  Sir,  come  and  see  us  to-morrow. 
Though  1  look  forward  to  my  execution  on  Friday, 
.1  wonder  how  it  is,  I  feel  so  resigned — I  am  sure  it 
must  be  from  God.  1  can  novv^  with  good  confidence 
repeat  that  text  you  read  to  me  last  week — '  Into  thy 
hand  I  commit  my  spirit:  thou  hast  redeemed  mc,  O 
Lord  God  of  truth. ^  Psalm  xxxi.  5.  And  here  I\>ish 
to  rest.     May  these  be  my  last  words.' 

"  Before  I  left  the  room,  Frazer  said  to  me,  *  I 
am  more  sorry  for  George  than  for  myself.  For  ho 
did  not  attempt  to  set  fire  to  any  place  ;  he  did  not 
give  any  assistance,  nor  did  he  take  any  plunder.' 

"  Tuesday  morning,  while  1  was  present,  the  mo- 
thers of  these  3"oung  men  came  to  take  their  last  fare- 
well of  their  sons.  A  scene  this,  which  it  is  equally 
impossible  for  me  to  describe,  or  ever  to  forget. 


238    NARRATIVE  OF  GEORGE  VANDERPOOL. 

"  On  Wednesday  the  liigh  sheriff  put  into  my  hand 
a  document,  which  he  had  just  received  from  his  Ex- 
cellency Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  Governor  of  the  State 
of  New- York,  stating-,  that  in  the  exercise  of  the  par- 
doning power  vested  in  the  executive,  he  had  com- 
muted the  sentence  of  George  Vandcrpool  to  confine- 
ment in  the  State-Prison  durini^  his  natural  life. 
This  was  in  consequence  of  my  communicating  to  the 
(rovernor  facts,  which  demonstrated  the  difference 
between  the  two  culprits,  and  recommending  Vandcr- 
pool to  his  clemency.  For  this  result  of  my  exertions 
to  save  a  human  being  from  death,  I  shall  always  feel 
grateful  to  God. 

*'  By  appointment,  I  met  the  Sheriff,  with  the  other 
oflicers,  at  the  Bridewell,  on  the  following  day,  for  tho 
purpose  of  separating  Vanderpool  from  his  chains 
and  from  his  fellow-prisoner.  As  it  was  deemed 
proper  not  to  communicate  the  good  news  to  him 
until  he  could  be  removed  into  an  adjoining  room.  It  is 
natural  to  suppose,  that  the  sudden  and  unexpected 
operation  of  knocking  off  his  chains,  threw  him  into 
considerable  agitation.  When  conveyed  from  his 
cell,  he  was  informed  of  the  Governor's  clemency,  on 
condition  of  perpetual  imprisonment,  which  of  course 
he  thankfully  accepted.  Permission  was  then  granted 
to  him  to  return  to  the  cell,  and  take  leave  of  the 
miserable  Frazcr — the  parting  on  both  sides  was  ex- 
tremely affecting.  A  coach  was  immediately  pro- 
vided, and  without  binding  the  prisoner,  either  with 
chains  or  cords,  I  accompanied  the  Sheriff,  to  lodge 
the  young  man  within  the  walls  of  the  State-Prison. 

"  On  the  entrance  of  Vanderpool,  he  appeared  to 
possess  an  unusual  mixture  of  feeling.  He  was  hum- 
ble, thankful,  solemn,  and  devout.  From  the  head 
keeper  and  others,  he  received  congratulations  on 
his  unexpected  escape  from  death,  accompanied  with 
suitable  addresses,  calculated  to  increase  his  gratitude 
to  God,  and  to  teach  him  the  great  obligation  he  was 


NARRATIVE  OF  GEORGE  VANDERPOOL.    239 

imtler,  to  observe  a  correct  course  of  conduct,  in  con- 
finement. And  it  is  but  justice  to  say,  that  durini^  his 
residence  within  the  walls  of  the  prison,  for  four  years 
and  nine  months,  he  conducted  himself  with  that  pro- 
priety, which  secured  the  entire  approbation  of  his 
keepers,  and  the  good  will  of  all  his  unfortunate  com- 
panions. From  repeated  conversations  with  him,  it 
appeared  evident  that  his  hope  in  Christ  continued  to 
be  firm ;  and  that  notwithstanding  the  temptations 
which  surrounded  him,  it  was  his  constant  prayer 
and  only  consolation,  to  walk  humbly  with  God. 

"  One  day,  while  in  the  yard  with  him,  he  said,  *  1 
cannot  forget  God's  mercy  to  me  when  I  was  in  the 
Bridewell.  It  was  great  that  he  should  save  my  life, 
but  a  great  deal  more  that  he  should  save  my  soul. 
I  cannot  forget  how  resigned  I  felt ;  and  the  hope  and 
peace  I  had  in  the  Saviour,  when  I  looked  for  nothing 
else  but  to  be  hung.  1  often  wish  1  had  the  same 
very  happy  feelings  now ;  but  I  am  thankful  that  I 
can  still  trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.' 

"  For  several  months,  the  health  of  Vanderpool 
visibly  declined,  and  finally  terminated  in  consump- 
tion. This  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  enter  the 
prison  hospital,  where  I  had  frequent  and  satisfactory 
conversations  with  him. 

"  On  Wednesday,  the  12th  of  September,  I  found 
him  in  bed,  very  ill,  but  perceived  no  symptoms 
which  indicated  a  speedy  dissolution.  After  some 
inquiries  concerning  the  state  of  his  mind,  he  assured 
me  that  it  wdiS  perfectly  comjjosed.  *  That  sweet  text,' 
said  he,  *  that  you  gave  me  in  the  Bridewell,  I  can 
still  repeat  it  with  confidence — '  hito  thy  hand  I  com- 
mit my  spirit :  thou  hast  redeemed  me,  O  Lord  God  of 
iruih.^  1  feel  submissive  to  the  Lord's  will — all  my 
desires  are  to  him.'  Then  looking  at  me  with  a 
solemn  countenance,  he  said,  '  Sir,  I  am  certain  that 
the  day  before  I  was  to  have  been  executed,  I  en- 
joyed so  much  mercy  and  peace  in  my  Saviour,  that 
if  I  had  been  hung,  my  soul  now  would  be  happy  with 


2i0         EXTRAORDINARY  AMOUNT  OF  LABOUR. 

my  God,  in  Iieavcn.  I  encouraged  his  lioj)e,  and 
coinlbrted  his  mind,  hy  assuring  him  that  God  was 
ever  laitht'ul,  and  that  he  had  said  '  /  will  never  leave 
iheej  nor  forsake  ihce.^  ^Vhen,  on  his  request,  I  had 
offered  a  prayer,  with  liis  iiands  clasped,  lie  said — 
'  My  God,  let  this  prayer  he  fulfilled  on  me.'  Late 
in  the  evening  of  this  (hiy,  George,  unexpectedly,  and 
v/ithout  a  groan,  sunk  into  the  arms  of  death,  aged 
twenty-five  years.  Thus,  may  we  not  say — '  Is  not 
this  a  brand  j/lueled  aid  of  the  fire  V 


«J   5> 


"  Now  Satan  thou  hast  lost  thy  aim, 
Against  this  brand  thy  threats  are  vain ; 
Jesus  has  pluck'd  it  from  the  flame, 
And  who  shall  put  it  in  again  ?" — Neicton. 

"  Friday,  the  1st  December.  Spent  abont  an  hour 
with  Gabriel  Hornan,  a  Jew,  born  in  Poland,  aged 
seventy,  lie  is  now  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  em- 
bracinof  Christ  as  the  Messiah." 

During  the  month  of  August,  Mr.  Stanford  preached 
sixtij-six  sermons. 

Decendjer  3ist.  In  this  place  it  may  not  be  im- 
proj^er  to  state,  that  from  a  document  now  before  us, 
in  the  hand  writing  of  our  venerable  friend,  it  ap- 
j>ears,  that  in  the  space  of  fifteen  years,  in  the  hu- 
mane and  criminal  institutions  in  our  city,  he  preached 
an  average  of  four  hundred  ais'D  nIx\ety-seve?( 
sermons  each  year,  or  more  than  nine  each  week. 
This  fact,  if  contemplated  in  connection  with  his  ad- 
vanced age,  and  almost  innumerable  other  duties, 
presents  an  instance  of  ministerial  zeal  and  diligence 
which  has  few  parallels  in  this  or  any  other  country. 
But  even  this  amount  of  labour  was  transcended 
during  the  year  1820. 

On  the  last  day  of  this  year,  he  remarks — "Blessed 
be  the  name  of  the  Lord  my  God  for  his  abundant 
mercy  in  sparing  me  another  year,  and  enabling  me 
to  preach  six  hundred  and  twenty  times,  or,  eleven  and 
a  half  sermons  each  week." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

CY  request  of  THK  common  council,  MR.  STANFORD 
AGAIN  VISITS  THE  PUBLIC  INSTITUTIONS  IN  NEW-JERSEY 
AND  PENNSYLVANIA^CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  SOUTH  BAP- 
TIST CHURCH LETTER  FROM  REV.  DR.  COX INDEFATIGA- 
BLE LABOURS. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1821,  Mr.  Stanford  remarks .' 
— "  1  have  commenced  this  year  under  great  depres- 
sion of  mind,  yet  anxious  still  further  to  devote  rhyself 
to  the  service  of  God.  Like  the  prophet  of  old,  while 
I  place  the  sacrifice  upon  the  altar,  the  unclean  birds 
of  wandering  thought  attempt  to  settle  upon  it,  and  it 
is  with  great  difficulty  they  are  driven  away.  May 
the  Lord  make  me  what  he  would  have  me  to  be,  and 
render  my  feeble  services  a  blessing  to  my  fellow- 
creatures*" 

In  the  month  of  May,  Mr.  S.  left  home  at  the 
particular  request  of  the  Common  Council  of  New- 
York,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  state  of  the 
prisons  in  New-Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  and  of  re- 
porting such  facts  as  in  his  opinion  might  be  calculated 
to  improve  the  penitentiary  system  in  this  city.  To 
facilitate  the  objects  of  his  mission,  the  Mayor  of 
New- York  was  directed  to  furnish  him  with  a  suitable 
introduction  to  the  municipal  officers  of  Philadelphia. 

A  short  time  after  his  return,  Mr.  S.  presented  to 
the  Corporation,  a  written  report  of  his  mission,  which 
was  printed  by  order  of  the  Common  Council.  This 
is  a  valuable  document,  and  although  it  would  preserve 
the  record  of  several  interesting  facts  connected  with 
the  history  of  American  prisons,  we  regret  that  the 
want  of  room,  will  not  permit  us  to  give  an  extract 
in  this  place. 

21 


242  SHORT  SERMONS. 

On  September  the  3d,  Mr.  Stanford  was  attacked 
by  a  violent  bilious  fever,  wliicli  continued  for  matiy 
days;  but  in  the  midst  of  his  sufi'cring,  l]e  was  lieard 
to  say,  "  *  Father,  glorify  thine  own  ncune,'' — let  this 
affliction  terminate  in  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  future 
benefit  of  my  people." 

On  the  20th  of  October,  he  says  : — "  The  Lord 
has  assisted  me  to  preach  one  hundred  and  sixty-i;ix 
sermons  during  the  last  three  months T^  It  may  jierhapa 
be  said,  that  his  sermons  were  short-  This  is  true ; 
they  did  not  often  exceed  thirty-five  minutes  ;  but  this 
is  to  be  regarded  as  a  commendable  excellence,  wor- 
thy  of  imitation.  Mr.  S.  so  far  as  we  are  able  to 
judge  from  his  manuscripts,  early  habituated  himself 
to  the  sententious  and  brief,  rather  than  the  difiusivc 
Jiiiethod  of  preaching.  In  this  he  judged  correctly, 
that  public  sjieakers  are  thereby  preserved  from  that 
premature  oblivion  into  which  a  ])ro!ix  preacher  is  in 
great  danger  of  sinking.  He  used  to  say  to  his  stu- 
dents in  divinity:- — "  Never  go  into  the  })ulpit  without 
having  something  to  say  ;  and  be  very  careful  always 
to  stop  when  you  have  done." 

The  following  anecdote  is  peculiarly  characteristic. 
Ill  his  thirteenth  lecture  on  the  composition  of  ser- 
mons, after  many  very  judicious  remarks,  he  says: — 
"  I  cannot  deny  myself  the  pleasure  of  stating,  that 
many  years  ago,  1  met  with  a  plain,  yet  good  old 
minister,  who,  in  conversation  with  me,  on  the  subject 
of  the  composition  of  a  sermon,  very  pleasantly  said: 
— '  I  know  of  no  better  rule,  than  the  proportions  ob- 
servable in  the  structure  of  the  human  body.  Let 
your  introduction  be  short,  like  the  head  of  the  man, 
round,  and  full  of  expression.  Make  up  the  body  of 
your  sermon,  of  the  solids  of  divine  truth ;  but  be  sure 
that  Christ  be  the  heart,  and  the  Spirit  of  God,  like 
the  lungs,  to  produce  respiration.  The  legs,  to  run 
after  every  class  of  your  hearers;  and  a  pair  of  arms 
tenderly  to  embrace  them.'     This  may  appear  to  vow 


FUNERAL  OF  JOHN  WITHINGTON.       243 

a  little  fanciful,  but  I  must  confess,  however  singular 
the  description,  yet,  to  my  mind,  it  seemed  worthy  of 
beinsr  remembered." 

January  1st,  1822.  "  Before  1  arose,"  says  Mr.  S. 
"  this  New- Year's  morning,  the  following  text  was 
impressed  upon  my  mind,  as  a  word  for  the  year. 
*  Most  gladly  therefore  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  infir- 
mities^ that  the  'power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me.'' 
2  Corinthians  xii.  9.  Not  my  sinful  infirmities,  but 
those  of  age,  sickness,  affliction,  and  labour;  that  the 
power  of  Christ's  presence,  grace,  and  love,  may  rest 
upon  me,  to  promote  my  sanctification  and  usefulness 
to  the  end  of  my  days.     So  let  it  be,  O  Lord !" 

In  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Inspectors  of  the 
State-Prison,  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  this 
State  in  1823,  we  find  the  following  commendation 
of  our  venerable  friend. 

"  The  morals  of  the  prisoners  continue  to  be 
watched  by  the  Rev.  John  Stanford,  whose  works  of 
love  manifest  that  he  has  imbibed  much  of  the  spirit 
of  his  divine  Master.  Under  his  superintendence, 
the  elementary  branches  of  education  still  continue 
to  be  taught — -convicts  are  employed  as  teachers,  and 
a  spirit  of  emulation  is  manifested,  worthy  of  better 
circumstances." 

Monday,  the  28th.  He  visited,  for  the  first  time, 
the  new  Lunatic-Asylum,  erected  about  eight  miles 
from  this  city,  where  he  recognised  a  number  of  un- 
fortunates of  both  sexes,  to  whom  he  had  before 
administered  the  consolations  of  the  gospel,  and  who 
expressed  much  satisfaction  in  again  seeing  him. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  he  delivered  an  address  at 
the  funeral  of  his  long  tried  friend  Mr.  John  With- 
ington,  a  much  beloved  and  lamented  deacon  of  the 
Oliver  (formerly  Fayette)  street  Baptist  Church. 
This  good  man,  while  living,  was  liberal  and  open 
handed;   and  at  his  death  he  consecrated  more  than 

FIFTY  THOUSAND  DOLLARS  tO  piouS  purposes. 


244  THK  SOUTH  BAPTIST  CIIl  RCH. 

Tuesday,  the  25tl)  of  April.  ITe  says: — '•  In  tlic 
morning  I  preached  in  the  Bridewell,  and  afterwards 
attended  the  constitution  of  the  South  Baptist  Church 
in  N  a  s  sa  u  -s  t  r  r  e  t ,  c  o  n  s  i  s  t  i  n  g  o  f  /  ivelvc  m  cm  hers ,  u  n  d  e  r 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Charles  G.  Sommers."* 

Wednesday,  the  ]9th  of  June.  He  rode  to  the 
Orphan-Asylum,  and  at  one  o'clock  delivered  an  ad- 
dress, with  other  reliiiious  exercises,  at  the  lavin<x  of 
the  corner-stone  of  a  new  wing  to  the  building. t 


*  la  the  prosperitv  of  this  church,  Mr.  Stanford  Telt  a  deep  into  rest : 
and  the  recollection  of  his  unwavering  rriendsliip,  h  cherished  hy  every 
member,  with  grtititncle  and  affection.  The  elegant  Bible  and  Hymn 
Book,  now  in  the  pulpit  of  the  South  Baptist  Church,  were  presented  by 
Mr.  S.  as  an  expression  of  his  attachment. 

t  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  address  above  alluded  to : — 

"  This  morning.,  may  not  the  orphans'  friends  exclaim,  '  According  to 
this  time,  ichat  hath  God  wroiigfit ."  From  the  commencem.ent  of  this  in- 
stitution, in  the  year  ]806,  when  the  Lord  opened  the  hearts  of  a  few- 
benevolent  females,  with  a  design  to  rescue  fatherless  and  motherless 
children  from  poverty  and  distress,  how  many  have  been  the  favours 
which  the  Almighty  has  bestowed,  and  how  richly  has  he  crowned  tlieir 
efforts  with  success  !  Who  can  behold  that  Orphan  House,  which, 
through  the  aid  of  a  geuerous  public,  was  erected,  and  has  still  been  sup- 
plied, amidst  scenes  of  discouragement,  without  indulging  the  most 
grateful  reflections  on  the  kindness  of  Providence?  We  are  now  assem- 
bled to  witness  a  fresh  instance  of  the  kind  hand  of  the  orphans'  heavenly 
Father,  by  being  enabled  to  comaicnce  the  erection  of  a  Wing  to  the 
building,  for  the  greater  accommodation  of  the  increasing  family  ;  and  to 
offer  our  fervent  prayer  to  the  Most  High  God  for  its  completion. 

"  Upon  this  occasion,  let  us  not  forget  to  strew-  a  few  grateful  flowers 
upon  this  corner-stone,  in  remembrance  of  those  departed  female  wor- 
thies, who,  after  having  lahoured  with  us  for  many  years,  and  witnessed 
the  prosperity  of  this  humane  institution,  have  ascended  to  the  regions  of 
a  blissful  immortality. — One  flower,  in  memory  of  IMrs.  Sarah  Hoffman, 
who  was  many  years  its  first  directress ;  another,  for  the  venerable  Mrs. 
Graham;  another,  for  Miss  Isabella  W.  Ogden.  secretary  to  the  board  ; 
and  another,  for  the  late  JMrs.  Startin.  How  delightfully  the  fragrance 
of  their  virtues  and  benevolence  still  continues  to  perfume  this  Orphan- 
Asylum  !  Ungenerous  would  it  be  in  us,  upon  this  occasion,  not  to  pro- 
nounce, wnth  gratitude,  the  worthy  name  of  Jacob  Sherred,  Esq.  by  whose 
liberal  bequest  of  Jive  thousand  dollars,  this  wing  is  intended  to  be  erected, 
and  inscribed  to  his  memory.  To  you.  Ladies,  who  are  still  permitted 
to  live  as  guardians  to  these  helpless  children,  what  a  pleasing  sensibility 
must  you  feel  in  reflecting  on  the  many  instances  of  divine  beneficence 
which  have  attended  your  labours.  Next  to  this,  is  the  pious  example  of 
your  departed  associates;  which,  upon  this  occasion  especially,  will  not 
fail  to  incite  you  to  unwearied  exertions  in  fiivour  of  the  children  thatno\x 
surround  you — for,  '  Blcasedare  they  ichp  consider  the  ^wor  and  nccdij.'  " 


LETTER  PROM    THE  REV.  DR.  COX.  245 

Lord's  day  morning,  .July  14tli.  He  says; — "  I  had 
much  fVeedo:ii  in  preaching  in  the  City-IIospital,  from 
Jamas  ii,  23."  The  hicid  and  scriptiaal  exposition  of 
this  passage,  originally  suggested  to  his  mind,  in  a 
conversation  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cox,  has  been  kindly 
furnished  in  the  followinor  letter. 

''NeiV'York,  June  Wth,  1834, 

"  RKV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  i  have  received  your  request,  that  T  would  con- 
tribute something  in  the  way  of  anecdote  or  incident, 
toucfiing  my  acquaintance   with  the  late  Rev.  John 


Tii9  mi^^ns  ware  req'iestad  to  prepare  the  corner-stone.  With  the 
castrjin  iry  csremony,  the  directresses  present  laid  it  in  its  place.  The 
orphan  children  in  tho  yard,  who  were  arranged  around  the  spot,  were 
naxt  addressed. 

"  Childrev. — Yon,  this  morning,  witness  a  new  instance  of  the  Al- 
mighty's kindness,  by  preparing  additional  means  for  your  accommoda- 
tion. By  this  increased  expense,  you  must  be  convinced  how  much  the 
public,  and  your  indulgent  directresses,  are  interested  in  your  welfare. 
They  are  not  only  solicitous  to  provide  for  you  a  shelter,  with  necessary 
food  and  clothing,  bat  also  with  that  portion  of  learning,  W'hich  may  con- 
duce to  your  personal  benefit,  and  future  usefulness  in  society ;  especi- 
ally, to  give  your  tender  minds  that  moral  and  religious  instruction, 
which,  W3  hope,  God  will  bless  for  your  present  and  future  happiness. 
How  important  is  it,  that  you  nov/,  '  Remember  your  Creator  in  the  days  of 
your  youth,  ichile  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years  draic  nigh,  when  you 
shall  say,  J  hcioe  no  pleasure  in  them.'  Many  of  you  ma}^  be  permitted  to 
arrive  at  manhood;  and  when  you  enter  into  the  public  paths  of  life, 
surely  you  will  not  forget  your  obligation  for  the  many  kindnesses  you 
have  received  in  this  orphan  family.  Nor  will  you  easily  forget  the  plea- 
sure you  this  morning  enjoy,  as  witnesses  to  the  laying  of  this  corner-' 
stone;  which,  no  donbt,  will  increase  your  gratitude  to  God,  as  the 
orphans'  guide  and  friend. 

"  It  is  presumed  that  you,  the  Workmen  engaged  in  erecting  this 
building,  will  cultivate  a  generous  feeling  upon  the  occasion.  Possibly 
you  may  have  families  and  children  of  your  own;  and  as  the  time  of 
your  death  is  uncertain,  they  also  may  be  left  orphans,  and  need  an 
asylum  among  the  children  that  now  surround  you,  we  indulge  a  cheer- 
ing confidence  in  your  fidelity  and  energy  while  pursuing  the  present 
design.  Let  me  likewise  remind  you,  that  you  have  souls  to  be  save(}  or 
lost.  Fly  then  to  the  arms  of  that  compassionate  Saviour,  who  alone  can 
give  you  rest,  peace,  and  blessedness,  in  the  cheering  hope  of  entering 
into  that '  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.'  " 
The  services  were  concluded  with  a  fervent  and  peculiarly  appropriate 


246  LETTER   FROM    THE  REV.  DR.  COX, 

Stanford,  D.  D.,  which  might  in  any  degree  vary  the 
contents,  and  possibly  enrich  the  interest  of  the  mo- 
inoir,  which,  at  the  assignment  and  desire  of  surviv- 
ing relatives  of  the  deceased,  it  is  your  office  and  your 
purpose  to  prepare.  Sincerely  do  1  wish  that  my 
knowledge  of  that  venerable  man  had  been  so  exten- 
sive or  intimate  as  to  warrant  me,  with  confidence,  to 
comply,  according  to  the  full  measure  of  your  wishes. 

"  We  occasionally,  and  even  frequently,  met,  in 
scenes  and  relations  where  personal  familiarity  was 
mainly  precluded  ;  but  never  where  the  resj)cct  and 
reverence,  which  his  personal  character  inspired, 
were  not  welcomed  and  acknowledged.  His  life  was 
of  an  even  tenor,  with  that  '  meek  and  quiet  spirif, 
which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  jnice.'^  Hence, 
while  he  was  so  extensively,  I  might  say  universally, 
revered  in  our  city,  his  life  seems  to  have  passed 
with  few  of  those  great  events  which  emblazon  the 
name  of  their  subject,  attract  the  notice  of  mankind, 
and  speak  to  the  wonder  of  posterity.  His  honours 
came  from  God.  They  belong  to  another  world. 
They  budded  in  time,  but  their  bloom  is  in  eternity. 

"  I  will  only  reliearse,  from  imperfect  memory,  an 
incident  which  endeared  Dr.  Stanford  to  my  esteem; 
and  which,  while  it  indicated  his  character,  is  surely 
adapted  to  !^e  useful.  Its  example  may  attract  imi- 
tation— its  temper  may  teach  mankind- — its  sentiment 
may  benefit  the  soul— its  story  will  be  grateful  to  tiie 
Christian. 

''  On  a  melancholy  occasion,  soiiie  years  since,  I 
w^as  sent  for,  to  visit  a  poor  felon  in  cliains,  and  then 
condemned  to  expiate,  on  the  gallows,  the  crime  of 
murder.  Such  scenes  have  always  been  to  me  so 
trying,  that  never,  for  their  own  sake,  could  I  get  my 
own  consent  to  visit  them.  In  this  instance  the  re- 
quest was  special,  and  the  obligation  apprehended. 
It  was  winter;  dreary  seemed  the  asperc  cxf  nature 
that  day ;  and  drear  and  wintry  were  my  feelings,  in 


LETTER  FROM    THE  REV.  DR.  COX.  247 

.sympathy  with  the  condemned  fellow-creature  with 
whom  1  expected  soon  to  confer,  respecting  his  im- 
mortal interests,  and  the  foundation  of  his  hope  for 
the  hastenino-  wonders  of  another  world.  On  enter- 
ing  the  antechamher  of  his  prison,  I  found  that  the 
main  keeper  was  absent,  and  his  subaltern,  the  turn- 
key of  the  place,  had  no  instructions  that  would  con- 
sist with  permission  to  introduce  me  to  the  gloomy 
apartment.  The  altei'native  was  to  wait  the  return 
of  the  keeper.  I  had  scarcely  tal^en  my  seat,  near 
the  five,  for  this  purpose,  when  Dr.  Stanford  a[)pear- 
ed,  having  arrived  there  uith  a  similar  design  towards 
many  prisoners,  in  prosecuting  the  duties  of  his  of^- 
ficial  station.  He  sat  near  me,  and,  as  both  waited, 
we  conversed  on  diiTerent- topics  for  a  length  of  time. 
This  was  the  longest  and  the  most  interesting  inter- 
view I  ever  remember  to' have  enjoyed  with  your 
venerable  friend  and  mine.  I  vvas  struck  with  his 
knowledge  of  the  peculiarities,  and  the  personal 
history  seemingly  of  each  of  the  miserable  inmates, 
as  an  o])ject  of  his  ])ious  care.  He  very  lucidly  ex- 
plained the  evil  merits  of  the  felon  with  whom  I  was 
to  converse,  interspersing  such  correct  and  Christian 
counsels  as  seemed  suited  to  his  deplorable  condition. 
He  was  to  die  in  a  day  or  two,  and  no  re])rieve  was 
expected  or  ultimately  obtained.  .  He  had  himself 
justly  abandoned  a  hope  so  unhappily  illusive  to  manv 
in  his  circumstances.  I  listened  with  interest  to  the 
observations  of  the  good  old  man,  that  1  might  learn 
something  of  the  duties  I  v>'as  soon  to  perform,  and 
])repare  myself  for  their  competent  discharge.  After 
analyzing  the  whole  case  very  properly  and  well,  his 
remarks  naturally  glided  into  general  truths  or  re- 
flections of  a  kindred  sort,  that  might  suit  and  profit 
all  men. 

"  The  importance  of  preparation  for  death  ;  the 
greatness  of  such  an  attainment;  its  probable  infre- 
tjuency  j  the  substitutes  and  specious  delusions  of  siu- 


248  LETTER  FROM    TIJE  REV.  BR.  COX. 

ners ;    and  the  special  liablcness  of  a  felon,  in  the 
time  of  his  extremity,  to  mistakes  and  perversions  of 
a  peculiar  character.     Thes6  were  some  of  the  allied 
topics,  from  which  the  transition  was  easy,  to  a  con- 
templation of  what  it  was  to  be  prepared.     Tliis  he 
familiarly  and  happily  showed,  Ly  the  adduction  of  a 
very  appropriate  passage  of  scripture,  and  by  its  fa- 
miliar and  ready  expansion  and  use.     That  passage 
J  distinctly  remember,  and  also  the  manner  in  which 
he  treated  it.     It   was  the   declaration   contained  in 
James  ii.  23 — Concerning  the   father   of  the   faith- 
ful, and  happily  evincive  of  the   piety  of  that  noble 
patriarch  in  its  nature  and  relations — '  And  the  scrip- 
ture was  faljilled,  which  saith,  Abraham  believed  Gody 
and  it  was  impiUed  unto  him  for  righteousness  ;  and' he 
ims  called  the  friexd  of  God.'     It  was  the  last  sen- 
tence mainly  on  which  he  laid  the  stress  of  his  views  ; 
and  his  position,  as  I  recollect,  was  substantially  this, 
*  He  only  is  jyrepared  for  death,  who  is  the  friend  of 
God.^     lie  indeed  referred  expressly  and  well  to  the 
medium  of  reconciliation,  and  the  way  of  attaining 
it,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  while  the  force  of 
his  observations  affected  more  the  fact  of  it,  as  iden- 
tified with  friendship  so  divine.     lie  remarked,  that 
a  sinner,  as  every  one  is  by  nature,  can  be  justified 
only  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  thus  having  righte- 
ousness imputed  unto  him,  he  is  accepted  as  righteous 
in  Christ,  who  is  '  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to 
every  one  that  helieveth.''    Yet  while  he  clearly  made  this 
averment,  respecting  the  only  possible  and  the  thrice 
glorious  method  of  a  sinner's  justification  before  God,  I 
was  pleased,  I  own,  to  listen  to  the  positions  as  quickly 
subjoined,  redounding  to  the   prostration  of  all  anti- 
nomianism ;  namely,  that  no  man  was  so  justified  who 
was  not  the  friend  of  God  ;  that  no  man  was  the  friend 
of  God,  who  was  not  so  justified  ;  that  this  was  happi- 
ness and  holiness,  as  well  as  justification  ;  that  this, 
^nd  this  indispensably,  constituted  preparation  for 


LETTER  FROM    THE  REV.  DR.  COX.  24^ 

death;  that  heaven  itself  would  be  as  disagreeable,  as 
impossible,  without  it ;  tiiat  those  were  fixed  piinci- 
])les,  and   revealed  ones  too,  in  the  divine  econorriv  ; 
and  that  w^e,  who  viewed  ourselves  as  the  distinguish- 
ed subjects,  through  grace,  of  sucii  a  blessed    trans- 
formation, would  necessarily  show  it  in  all  aj>|)ropri- 
ate  ways,  especially  in  that  exalted   and  divine  one, 
of  imitating  Christ  and  God,  in  endeavouring  to  bring 
others  to  its  incomparable  acquisition  and  experience. 
"After  this  general  or    large   expatiation   on  the 
theme,  he  seemed  to  fix  his  view  niore  narrowly  an<l 
analytically  on  tlie  idea  of — being  the  friend  oj  Gcd. 
I  thought,  at  first,  from  a  professional  sympathy,  that 
probably  he  had  just  been  preaching  on  it,  and  there- 
fore was  es[)ecially  impressed  with  the  subject.     But 
more   reflection   changed   the   opinion,     lie  seemcii 
rather  struck  and  penetrated  at  the  time,  with  that 
unlimited  and  identifying  characteristic  of  Abraham, 
as  descriptive  of  the   genuine  Christian,  common  to 
the  whole  church  invisible,  and  demonstrative  of  the 
communion  of  saints ;  and  1  judged  him  rather  as  pur- 
posed or  inclined  to  preach   on  it  in   future,  than  to 
have  summoned  from  the  reminiscences  of  past  ser- 
vice the  relics  of  a  sermon.     As  nearly  as  I  can  now 
remember,  he  spoke  of  it  as  suggesting  a  very  profit- 
able train  of  thought  for  a  popular  discourse,    and 
also  proposed  impromptu  an  elligible  plan,  much  in 
the  following  style  of  converse  propositions  and  ready 
antithesis.     At  all  events,  his  felicity  of  varying  the 
aspects  of  the  subject  was  useful  to  myself,  in  the  way 
at  least  of  impression  and  retention  in  regard  to  it. 
"  What  is  it  to  be  the  friend  of  God^ 
"  What,  for  God  to  be  our  friend  ? 
"  What   relation    has  this   friendship    existing   in 
either  party  towards  the  other,  to  reciprocity  and  mu- 
tual perfectness  ^ 

"  What  is  preparation  for  death,  as  related  to  this 
friendship  ? 


250  LETTKR  FROM    THE  REV.  DR.  COX. 

"  How  nianv  arc  probably  prepared  on  this  prin- 
cij)le  ? 

"  How  many  arc  probably  deluded  ? 

*'  What  is  the  condition  of  the  enemies  of  God  .'' 

"  What  will  become  of  any  or  all  of  us,  if  we  live 
and  die  without  being  each  the  friend  of  God7 

"  What  is  the  nature  of  our  faith  in  God,  throu^rh 
the  gospel,  and  what  its  promise,  if  in  its  exercise 
and  possession  we  are  not  so  conciliated  and  attached 
as  the  friends  of  God  ? 

"  As  the  conversation  occurred  several  years  since, 
1  do  not  pretend  to  forensic  accuracy  of  report  or 
graphic  cbrrectness  of  representation.  My  general 
impressions  had  a  corresponding  cause,  and  I  have 
aimed  faithfully  to  transcribe  its  recorded  effects  from 
the  tablet  of  memory.  It  is  pleasant,  and  better 
than  pleasant,  now  that  he  '  sleeps  in  Jesus,''  for  me  to 
recall  some  of  the  indications  as  then  portrayed  in  his 
living  character,  the  better  because  incidental  and 
unproposed,  by  which  my  confidence  is  sustained  in 
the  happiest  conclusions,  that  his  spirit  is  glorified  in 
the  third  heavens,  among  kindred  myriads  of  the 
friends  of  God.  How  mean  were  other  monuments, 
however  costly  or  magnificent,  were  they  purchased  or 
reared  in  their  pompous  imbecility,  to  perpetuate  bis 
fame,  on  which  the  angel  of  truth  could  not  imprint 
the  attestation — He  was  the  friend  of  God  !  As 
it  is,  such  monuments  are  superseded  and  useless. 
Every  such  pile  of  mouldering  grandeur,  advertises 
to  reflection  the  vanity  of  its  pretensions  ;  and  in 
contrast  or  disjunction,  as  is  too  commonly  the  case 
with  the  authentication  of  evangelical  piety,  is  worse 
than  an  ungrudged  oblivion.  It  is  here  that,  in  the 
estimates  of  the  wise,  it 

'  Loses  disconntenanc'd,  and  like  folly  shows  it.' 

But,  in  the  example  of  consistent  piety,  you  see  a 
blessedness  substantial  and  eternal.     It  is  as  much 


DIANA  SELLICK  SAVED  FROM  THE  GALLOW.-'.    25J 

superior  to  the  honours  of  this  world,  as  its  sources 
tire  iiigher,  its  spirit  purer,  its  rewards  better,  its 
d;ite  more  durable,  and  its  coronation  more  giorious. 
*  MarJc  thepe?'fcct  man,  and  behold  the  iipriglit :  for  the 
end  of  that  man  is  peace.  But  the  transgressors  shall 
he  destroyed  together  ;  the  end  of  the  Kicked  shall  be  cut 
off.  But  the  salvation  of  the  righteous  is  of  the  Lord: 
he  is  their  strength  in  time  of  trouble.  And  the  Lord 
shall  help  them,  and  deliver  them:  he  shall  deliver  them 
from  the  icieked,  ajid  save  them,  because  they  trust  in 
him.'' 

"  That  each  of  us,  my  respected  brother,  may  be 
the  friend  of  God  not  only,  but  our  offspring  and  our 
j)eople  with  us,  and  ourselves  instrumental  in  con- 
ciliating thousands  of  others,  is  the  prayer  of  your 
friend  and  brother  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

''  SAMUEL  H.  COX." 

Lord's  day,  December  1st.  Mr.  S.  says: — "  In  the 
four  sermons  preached  this  day,  I  was  greatly  assisted 
by  the  Lord.  In  prayer  I  was  indulged  with  a  great 
degree  of  holy  communion  with  my  God.  Indeed,  1 
would  rather  enjoy  liberty  in  prayer  than  in  preach- 
ing, yet  I  find  they  generally  go  together.  The  after- 
noon's discourse  was  on  the  death  of  Diana  Sellick, 
whom,  some  years  ago,  I  was  the  instrument  in 
saving  from  the  gallows."* 


*  This  is  the  second  instance  in  which  the  clear-sighted  and  discrimi- 
nating mind  of  Mr.  Stanford  enabled  him  to  investigate  the  circumstances 
upon  which  the  capital  conviction  of  two  criminals  had  been  predicated, 
and  in  which,  by  illiciting  facts,  that  had  before  escaped  notice,  he  was 
enabled  to  obtain  for  them  the  clemency  of  the  Executive  ;  and  thus  be- 
came the  instrument  of  saving  not  merely  their  natural  life,  but  their 
•onls,  as  they  were  both  converted  to  God  under  his  subsequent  ministry. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

rOMMENCES    THK    YF.AR    UNDER     MENTAL     DEPRESSION RE^- 

SOLVES    TO    LAHOUR    WITH    INCREASING    DILIGENCE DAN* 

ObUOUS  ILLNESS — DEATH  OF  WILLIAM  STANFORD EXPLO- 
SION OF  THE  STEAM-BOAT  /ETNA MEMORIAL. 

January  1st,  1823,  Mr.  Stanford  remarks:—"  This 
vear  commenced  witliout  that  full  dei^ree  of  humble 
and  spiritual  desire  towards  the  Lord  which  my  heart 
anticipated.  The  weather  was  dark  and  stormy — 
too  much  resembling  the  state  of  my  heart.  Time 
with  me  cannot  but  be  short.  May  the  Lord  make 
me  useful  while  I  live,  and  faithful  until  I  die,  and 
then  in  mercy,  through  a  gracious  Redeemer,  receive 
my  soul  into  his  rest  for  ever." 

Mr.  Stanford  to  the  Hon.  Nicholas  Brown,  A.  M. 

'' Neic-YorJc,  August  28M,  1823. 

'*  MY  DEAR  FRTE:vD, 

"  This  afternoon  Mr.  Barnes  handed  me  your  letter, 
dated  the  26th,  and  which  demands  my  most  affec- 
tionate and  early  acknowledgments.  Gratified  should 
1  be  to  accept  your  friendly  invitation  to  your  house, 
at  the  commencement,  and  the  Warren  Association  ; 
but  the  time  is  so  short,  and  few  of  the  clergy  of  any 
denomination  being  in  town  at  this  season,  I  am 
unable  to  procure  adequate  supplies  to  attend  my 
eight  congregations,  in  the  event  of  my  absence. 
The  Honourable  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  this 
city  have  expressed  a  wish,  that  I  would  visit  Boston 
this  season,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  all  their 
public  institutions,  with  the  design  of  improving  our 
own.     Should  the  God  of  mercy  enable  mc  to  comply 


LETTER  TO  THE  HON.  NICHOLAS  BROWN.       253 

with  your  request,  it  would    afford  me  peculiar  plea- 
sure to  see  you  on  the  way. 

"  Will  you  bear  with  me  in  my  folly,  if  folly  it  may 
be  called?  Your  letter  produced  a  train  of  reflections, 
which  carried  me  back  at  least  thirty  years.  Your 
family,  your  honoured  father,  Nicholas,  Obadiah, 
Hope,  and  Tommy  Ives  ;  the  church,  the  college,  the 
town,  and  its  poor:  ah!  the  remembrance  of  all  these 
rushed  upon  my  mind  so  forcibly,  that  I  could  not 
withhold  the  falling  tear.  Yes,  I  did  love  you — I 
tried,  in  the  strength  of  my  God,  to  promote  the 
general  good— I  love  you  still,  and  pray  for  the 
blessing  of  my  Lord  to  rest  upon  you  all.  Yes,  those 
days  and  those  connexions  still  survive  in  my  heart, 
and  my  earnest  prayer  shall  be  continued,  that  the 
choicest  personal  and  social  blessings  may  rest  upon 
you. 

"  I  have  heard  so  much  of  the  extensive  improve- 
ments of  the  college,  through  your  munificence,  that, 
1  must  confess,  I  have  often  indulged  a  strong  desire 
again  to  see  that  noble,  and  now  magnificent  institu- 
tion. As  for  my  old  acquaintance  in  the  town,  I 
presume  few  are  now  in  the  land  of  the  living.  Still, 
if  favoured  with  an  opportunity,  I  should  like  to  em- 
ploy a  day,  in  once  more  walking  in  the  streets  of 
Providence,  and  expressing  my  good  wishes  for  the 
prosperity  of  its  inhabitants. 

'*  With  sincere  regards,  your's, 

"JOHN  STANFORD.'* 

While  in  Philadelphia  on  a  visit,  in  August,  Mr.  S* 
remarks : — "  This  evening  my  James  offered  the 
family  prayer."  This  was  a  young  lad  whom  Mr.  S. 
had  taken  out  of  the  Poor-House  to  serve  as  a  do- 
mestic, and  for  whose  conversion  it  pleased  God  to 
bless  the  religious  instruction  imparted  in  the  family. 
His  case  was  quite  remarkable;  possessed  of  talents 
far  above  mediocrity,  and  embued  with  the  spirit  of 

22 


254    CONCERN  FOR  THE  WELFARE  OF  MARINER?. 

a  most  exemplary  piety,  it  is  not  snr prising  that  he 
was,  like  others,  through  Mr.  Stanford's  instrumen- 
tality, rescued  from  moral  degradation  and  poverty, 
and  restored  to  virtue  and  prosperity. 

September  26th.  Mr.  S.  writes  : — "It  has  pleased 
God,  this  month,  to  lay  upon  me  his  alilicting  hand, 
and  many  of  my  friends  resigned  all  hoj^e  of  my 
recoveryr  A  severe  affection  of  the  chest  obliged  me 
to  maintain  a  sitting  posture  both  dfiy  and  night. 
The  physicians  in  attendance  could  afford  but  little 
relief;  but  that  Ijlessed  Lord,  who  always  appoints  the 
means  adapted  to  the  end,  unexpectedly  furnished 
me  with  a  remedy  from  Dr.  Alexander  H.  Stevens, 
which  produced  the  most  beneficial  effects.  May  the 
Lord  so  sanctify  this  visitation,  that  if  spared  a  little 
longer,  it  may  be  to  his  glory  and  the  good  of  my 
fellow-creatures."  He  so  far  recovered  from  this 
severe  indisposition,  as  to  be  able  to  resume  his  active 
duties,  and  we  find  him  recording  in  his  diary,  at 
the  end  of  the  succeeding  month,  this  extraordinary 
f.^ct — "  This  month,  to  me  has  been  a  season  of  great 
pain,  and  great  mercy,  so  that  I  have  been  enabled 
to  preach  fifty  sermons,  besides  performing  a  large 
amount  of  other  duty." 

Mr.  Stanford's  concern  for  the  welfare  of  seamen, 
was  evinced  as  early  as  the  year  1815,  by  the  follow- 
ing article,  printed  in  the  Mercantile  Advertiser.  It 
is  here  inserted  without  reference  to  date. 

'*  To  Shipping  Merchants  and  others,  whom  this  may 

concert}, 

"  GENTLEMEN, 

"  As  by  the  favour  of  the  Almighty,  we  are  now 
emerging  from  the  horrors  of  war,  and  the  consequent 
devastation  upon  commerce,  it  becomes  the  duty, 
especially  of  public  citizens,  to  make  every  exertion 
which  may  tend  to  improve  the  blessing  of  peace. 
Among   the   numerous  subjects  which  now  demand 


ANOTHER  BP:NEV0LI:NT  plan  PROPObED.       255 

oar  attention,  the  improvement  of  navigation  and 
commerce  must  be  deemed  of  the  highest  importance. 
It  is  presumed,  that  under  this  impression  the  Pre- 
sident of  the  United  States,  in  a  message  to  both 
houses  of  Congress,  has  recommended  to  their  con- 
sideration, as  a  means  of  '  cultivating  harmony  with 
other  nations,'  the  policy  of  excluding  foreign  sca^ 
men,  and  navigating  American  vessels  exclusively  by 
American  seamen,  either  natives,  or  such  as  are 
already  naturalized.  What  measure  Congress  may 
adopt  at  a  future  period,  to  bring  this  into  effect,  is 
uncertain.  But,  it  is  certain,  that  in  proportion  to 
the  increase  of  commerce  will  be  the  demand  for 
able  mariners,  and  means  should  be  pursued  in  order 
to  produce  them. 

"  Strong  exertions  have  been  made,  and  are  still 
making,  to  train  up  youths  both  for  the  defence  and 
the  honour  of  America;  and  these  are  under  the 
immediate  superintendence  of  the  general  naval  de- 
partment. 

"  Commerce  must  be  maintained  by  seamen  pro- 
duced from  other  sources,  and  by  a  different  method; 
and  I  am  the  more  explicit  in  this  address  to  the  in- 
habitants of  New- York,  as  this  city  takes  the  highest 
rank  amone-  the  commercial  cities  of  America. 

"  To  you,  therefore,  gentlemen,  as  merchants,  and 
the  most  deeply  interested  in  the  improvement  and 
increase  of  commerce  from  this  port,  1  beg  leave  to 
suggest  the  utility  of  establishing  a  Public  Marine 
School,  for  the  improvement  of  those  who  are 
inclined  to  sea  service  ;  which  may  speedily  promise 
a  greater  supply  of  able  American  seamen,  and,  of 
course,  preclude  the  necessity  of  taking  foreign  cap- 
tains or  sailors  into  the  mercha^nt  service.  1  would 
respectfully  recommend — 

"  That  for  this  heneficial  purpose^  a  society  of  mer- 
chants be  formed- — the  school  to  be  a  permanent  estab- 
lishment:   and   the  ivhole   to   be   under    the   exclusive 


256  IMPORTANCE  OF  EDUCATING  .SEA.MEN. 

government  of  a  board  of  directors,  or  governors,  an- 
nually elected  by  the  society. 

"  Let  merchant^)  who  are  impressed  with  the 
iitilit}'  of  such  an  institution,  devote  an  hour  for  the 
consideration  of  the  proj)osed  object,  whetiier  for  its 
rejection  or  its  promotion.  On  the  j)hin,  order, 
government,  resourc(^s,  and  application  of  funds, 
though  1  might  offer  sonje  genera!  outhnes,  it  is  not 
rny  province  publicly  to  communicate  them.  How- 
ever, I  Vfill  venture  to  say,  in  relation  to  teachers  for 
a  Blarinc  Scliool,  it  has  many  years  been  my  impres- 
sion, that,  experienced  sea  captains,  disabled  by  age 
or  by  misfortune,  are  the  most  eligible,  and  the  com- 
pensation allowed  them  may  contribute  to  make  them 
a  '  snug  harbour.'  Whether  this  school  be  free  or 
not,  provision  should  be  made  for  a  certain  number 
of  boys,  inclining  to  the  marine  life,  whose  parents 
are  or  have  been  captains  or  pilots,  especially  in  our 
waters,  but  who  are  now  unfortunately  reduced  in 
health  or  circumstances;  that  such  youths  be  educated 
gratuitously.  Thus  public  benefit  and  benevolence 
would  happily  combine. 

"  Should  this  recommendation  meet  with  appro- 
bation, and  be  adopted,  it  is  possible  that  your  ex- 
ample may  be  followed  by  other  cities  and  large  towns 
immediately  concerned  in  commerce;  consequently 
the  object  will  become  more  extensively  beneficial. 
At  any  rate,  those  whom  you  may  educate,  would  more 
immediately  be  considered  as  your  own  sailors ;  and,  of 
course,  be  more  attached  to  your  service  and  interest. 

"  It  is  only  necessary,  gentlemen,  for  me  to  add, 
that  this  address  is  from  the  pen  of  a  citizen, 
whose  public  station  in  life  perfectly  excludes  hifn 
from  the  shadow  of  suspicion  of  any  further  benefit 
from  the  subject  than  the  gratification  of  contri- 
buting, in  some  small  degree,  to  the  interests  of  the 
community. 

"  AMERICUS. 


LETIER  FROM  CAPTAIN  PERRY,  U.  S.  N.    257 

"  P.  S.  Insurance  companies,  unquestionably,  will 
be  highly  interested  in  the  jDroposed  institution.  For 
it  will  not  be  denied,  that  many  a  vessel  has  been 
lost  for  the  want  of  able  navigators;  as,  on  the  death 
of  the  captain  and  mate,  no  j)erson  on  board  was 
found  conipetent  to  take  the  command.  Onthepar^, 
therefore,  of  the  merchant,  and  the  company,  this 
object  may  produce  incalculable  advantages." 

The  following  letter  from  the  brother  of  Commo- 
dore Perry,  v»ill  be  read  with  interest,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  furnish  an  additional  evidence  that  Mr» 
Stanford's  efforts  were  not  limited.  He  seems  to  have 
regarded  the  whole  world  as  the  field  of  his  labours, 

New-York,  January  26tk,  1824. 

*'  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  acknovv'ledge, with  great  pleasure,  the  receipt 
of  your  valuable  communication  of  the  24th  instant, 
and  feel  highly  gratified  with  your  ajiprobatory  re- 
marks, in  fiivour  of  my  plan  for  introducing  appren- 
tices into  our  naval  service.  I  agree  most  cordially 
with  you.  Sir,  that  it  '  promises  the  o)ili/  Vvay  to  pro- 
cure a  succession  of  able  sailors  for  the  navy,'  and 
must  (should  the  plan  be  adopted,)  prove  an  incalcu- 
lable benefit,  not  only  to  our  maratime  prosperity, 
but  to  the  community  at  large,  more  especially  to  the 
population  of  our  large  cities. 

"  I  see  no  reason  why  '  Court-Boys,'  as  they  are 
termed,  should  be  excluded  from  the  advantages  of  the 
arrangement.  For  should  their  vicious  propensities 
prevent  their  rising  above  the  rank  of  a  common  sailor, 
even  in  this  station  they  would  be  extremely  useful  to 
the  country.  But,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that  the  application 
of  the  sound  and  wholesome  discipline  of  our  navy, 
would  have  a  tendency  to  check,  if  not  entirely  eradi*? 
cate,  those  juvenile  faults,  which,  in  most  instanceSj 
grow  out  of  idleness  and  the  neglect  of  parents, 

83* 


258  DEATH  OF  WILLIAM  STANFORD. 

"  The  generally  received  opinion  of  landsmen,  that 
a  *  vessel  of  war'  is  a  receptacle  of  vice  and  wicked- 
ness, is  founded  in  error.  Shut  up  as  the  crew  must 
be,  in  a  small  compass,  at  all  times  under  the  watch- 
ful and  superintending  eyes  of  their  officers,  who  arc 
clothed  with  almost  unlimited  power  to  punish  every 
violation  of  discipline,  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  in- 
dulge their  evil  propensities  ;  ami,  by  turning  their 
attention  to  the  pleasing  and  active  employments  of 
a  seafaring  life,  they  will  forget  their  early  habits, 
and  learn,  at  last,  the  old  maxim,  that  '  honesty  is  the 
hest  policy.^ 

"  I  thank  you,  my  dear  Sir,  for  the  pamphlets  you 
were  good  enough  to  send  me.  I  have  perused  them 
with  much  attention,  and  am  of  the  opinion  that  they 
are  admirably  calculated  to  do  good  aboard  our  ships 
of  war.  I  shall  make  it  a  point  to  distril^ute  those  in 
jny  possession  amongst  the  men  under  my  command. 
"  With  sentiments  of  great  respect, 
"  I  am,  dear  Sir, 

*'  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

'-  M.  C.  PERRY/' 

"  Saturday,  February  2Sth.  Received  the  sad 
news  of  the  death  of  my  son  William,  at  St.  Kitts, 
West-Indies,  which  made  a  deep  impression  upon  my 
heart."  Yet,  on  the  following  Sabbath,  he  adds  : — 
*'  Notwithstanding  the  state  of  my  mind,  I  ventured 
on  the  Lord's  work.  Preached  in  the  City-Hospital 
in  the  morning,  and  twice  in  the  State-Prison  chapel 
in  the  afternoon,  and  again  in  the  guard-house.  The 
Lord  was  good  and  gracious  to  me  in  hi's  blessed 
work." 

On  the  23d  of  April,  he  says :-— '•  J  visited  the 
hospital  at  Bellevue,  and  afterwards  gave  a  discourse 
in  the  school-room,  to  nearly  two  hundred  children." 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  Mr.  Stanford  went  to 
the  City-Hospital,  where  an  appalling  scene  awaited 


AWFUL  STEAM-BOAT  EXPLOSION.  259 

him.  Nine  persons,  dreadfully  scalded  by  the  explo- 
sion on  board  of  the  steam-boat  ^tna,  had  been 
brought  in  on  the  previous  evening.  Two  females 
died  in  the  night,  and  four  others  expired  in  a  few 
days.  He  immediately  went  uplo  converse  and  pray 
with  each  of  the  seven  survivors,  who  w  ere  distributed 
in  different  apartments. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  1824,  Mr.  S.  delivered  a  sermon 
from  Job  xxiv.  22,  intended  as  a  moral  improve- 
ment of  the  calamity  occasioned  by  the  explosion,  by 
which  several  valuable  lives  were  lost.  The  sermon 
was  followed  by  an  account  of  the  last  hours,  and 
dying  experience,  of  six  out  of  the  nine  mutilated 
sufferers,  uho  were  brought  to  the  Hospital.* 

*  The  following  extract  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  acceptable  to  the  reader:-— 

"  Had  I  been  on  deck  at  the  df^parture  of  the  vessel,  opened  ray  Bible, 
and  then  read  to  the  assembled  passengers,  the  words  of  Job — '  No  man 
is  sure  oj  life,''  possibly  it  might  have  been  deemed  jfl-emature ;  each  one 
anticipat-iug  a  speedy  passage,  a  safe  arrival  at  the  city,  and  a  warm  re- 
ception to  the  bosom  of  their  friends.  How  inscrutable  are  the  ways  of 
i%o<\  with  man  !  How  unforeseen  are  the  aJternate  changes  of  prosperity 
and  adversity,  o?  life  and  death,  which  attend  our  paths  !  ^o  true  it  is, 
'  We  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth.''  \ 

"  At  seven  o'clock,  just  as  the  sun  was  withdrawing  his  bearn^,  and 
the  passengers  were  within  sight  of  the  city,  and  anxious  to  arrive, 
the  centre  boiler,'  exploded  as  with  the  voice  of  thunder.  So  tremeji- 
dous  was  the  concussion,  that  the  deck  was  tarn  from  its  timbers ; 
the  various  accommodations  for  passengers  v/ere  destroyed,  and  the  frag- 
ments scattered  in  every  direction,  exhibiting  a  spectacle  of  complete 
devastation.  But  what  were  these,  when  compared  with  the  horrible 
destruction  of  human  beings  !  The  impetuous  steam,  in  its  fury,  rushed 
f^ito  the  after-cabin,  which  was  allotted  for  the  safety  and  repose  of  the 
female  passengers.  Several  of'these  were  scahled  to  death,  and  lay  pros- 
trate in  the  most  shocking  condition. 

"  Tliis  cabin  was  not  the  o;ily  place  where  destruction  and  misery  were 
produced;  the  steam  in  a  moment  filled  every  other  apartipent,  and  de- 
stroyed every  thing  which  obstructed  its  course.  Some  human  beings 
were  externally  scalded  and  torn,  while  others  still  more  unfortunate,  by 
inhaling  the  steam,  were  literally  filled  with  its  direful  eflects,  and  in- 
capable of  expressing  the  anguish  they  endured.  The  cries  and  shriek*? 
of  the  sufferers  penetrated  the  souls  of  the  fev/  on  deck  who  had  escaped 
the  fiery  deluge,  and  presented  to  their  view  a  scene  more  dreadful  than 
language  can  describe! 

"  The  whole  number  of  persons  on  board  tlie  ALi\\?i,  is  stated  to  have 
been  thirty-four. 

"  Of  those  who  first  fell  in  death,  by  this  accident,  the  family  of  Mr,  Job 


260      DYING  EXPERIENCE  OF  THE  SUFFERERS. 

Wednesday,  October  20th,  lie  writes: — "  This  is 
my  birth-day — arrived  at  my  70th  year.     My  feelings 

Furman,  well  known  and  respected  in  this  city,  have  been  the  greatest 
sufterers.  Early  in  the  morning  of  Saturday,  iVIrs.  Sarah  Furman,  Mr.-s. 
Merserole.  their  daughter,  Mary  Furman,  sister  of  Mr.  Furman,  and  Miss 
Caroline  Furman,  neice  of  Air.  Furman,  only  ten  years  of  age;  all  these, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  full  health,  left  the  city'to  pay  the  last  expression  cf 
friendship,  by  attending  the  same  afternoon,  at  Elizabeth-Town,  the 
faneral  of  Mrs.  Prince,  who  was  a  niece  of  Mr.  Furman.  While  at  that 
house  of  mourning,  the  infant  of  the  deceased  expired.  It  was  immediately 
dressed  in  its  shroud,  and  place.l  in  the  cold  arms  of  its  mother,  in  the 
same  coffin,  and  both  conveyed  to  the  silent  grave.  Under  the  solemn 
influence  of  this  scene  of  mortality,  they  entered  on  board  of  the  ^Ina. 
no  doubt  in  the  expectation  of  returning  in  safety  to  their  habitation.  We 
all  know  the  lively  emotion  which  expectation  inspires  for  the  return  of 
absent  fr'ends;  and  such  was  the  anticipation  of  Mr.  F.  as  the  day  de- 
clined. Atlastthesun.set— the  curtain  of  night  dropped— expectation  grew 
stronger,  and  yielded  to  impatience — they  arrived,  not  in  health  and  ac- 
tivity, but  fast  bound  in  the  fetters  of  death;  while  their  mangled  bodies 
exhibited  a  spectacle  too  appalling  for  description  Dreadful  was  the 
domestic  anguish— deep  and  heart-rending.  A  speedy  interment  was 
deemed  indispensable,  and  on  the  next  afternoon,  tiie  four  bodies  were 
buried  in  one  grave. 

"  At  ten  o'clock  on  Saturday  night,  nine  of  those  unfortunate  sufferers 
were  brought  to  the  door  of  tlie  Hospital.  Some  of  them,  owing  to  their 
mano-led  condition,  were  conveyed  on  litters,  and  others  in  coaches^ 
Their  agonies  and  cries  broke  in  upon  the  stillness  of  the  night,  and  ren- 
dered the  scene  niDst  awfully  affecting.  Every  exertion  which  humanity 
or  medical  skill  could  devise,  were  employed  for  their  relief. 

'•  Ann  Dougherty,  aged  about  thirty,  inhaled  a  large  portion  of  steam, 
and  was  externally  scalded  in  a  shocking  manner.  She,  however,  was 
supported  by  the  hand  of  her  Saviour,  and  gave  a  happy  evidence  of  the 
power  of  religion,  under  the  sharpest  distress.  As  this  female  died  in  the 
night  on  which  she  came  in,  I  am  indebted  to  the  women  who  occupy 
the  same  ward,  for  my  information,  and  from  whose  testimony  the  follow- 
ing statement  maybe  received  as  correct.  Previous  to  her  entering  on 
board  the  steam-boat,  she  had  an  impression  upon  her  mind,  that  she 
should  not  live  long;  and,  on  taking  leave  of  a  (Jliristian  friend,  she  cut 
off  a  lock  of  her  hair,  and  gave  it  to  her  as  a  memorial  of  affection,  saying, 
'  I  do  not  expect  to  see  you  again.'  Soon  as  her  wounds  were  dressed, 
she  said,  '  I  thank  God  for  this  accident ;  I  shall  the  sooner  go  to  my 
heavenly  Father's  home.'  A  pious  woman  went  to  her  bed  and  asked 
her,  '  Is  Jesus,  the  Saviour,  precious  to  you  ?'  She  replied,  '  O,  yes,  he 
is  precious  to  mo ;'  and  raising  her  voice  as  much  as  possible,  slie  said, 
'  I  want  you  all  to  seek  and  love  the  Loru.'  A  little  after,  she  said  to  one 
of  her  attendants,  '  I  dare  not  say  this  is  hard,  though  it  may  seem  so.' 
This  person  asked  her  if  she  could  do  any  thing  for  her;  to  which  she 
replied,  '  No,  the  Lord  will  do  all  things  well  for  me'  The  nurse  observ- 
ing the  position  in  which  she  lay,  asked  her  if  her  pillow  did  not  seem 
hard.  With  peculiar  emphasis  she  answered,  'O.  no;  Jesus  can  make 
a  dying  bed  feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are.'   '  I  am  sorry  to  see  you  suffer 


A  MKMORIAL  OF  1  HE  LOKD'^:  G0()DNI:.SS.        261 

on  this  occasion  are  mingled  with  humility  and  grati- 
tude, but  not  a  seventieth  part  of  what  I  could  wish, 
or  what  they  oaght  to  be."  The  ibhowing  extract 
will  more  fully  discl'jsc  the  feeling.s  of  his  grateful 
heart  on  tiiis  occasion. 

"  A  Memorial  of  the  Lord's  Goodness,  written  on 
the  day  of  completing  the  seventieth  y(;ar  of  my  p,g(\ 
October  20lh,  1824 — '  Thou  hast  dealt  ivith  i In/ ser- 
vant, O  Lord,  according  indo  ihij  wardJ^  Psahn 
cxix.  65. 

"  I  can  find  no  words  in  the  scriptures  more  ap- 
propriate as  a  motto,  than  that  which  1  have  selected 
from  the  Psalms  of  David.     They  certainly  express 


9,0  much.'  '  Ye.s,  I  do  suffer;  but  what  are  my  sufferings  when  com- 
pared with  what  Christ  suffered  for  us  ?  I  am  wilhng  to  suffer  any  way 
my  Lord  shall  please ;  and  to  die  any  deatli,  by  which  he  thinks  proper  to 
take  me  to  himself  About  four  o'clock  she  began  to  fail,  and  witFi  solemn 
accents  said,  '  It  is  almost  done — it  is  almost  over!'  Speedily  after  she 
sunk  in  the  arms  of  death.  Header,  if  on  the  dying  bed,  could  you  have 
said  so  ?  Are  you  prepared  thus  to  meet  death  ?  When  he  cometh,  will 
he  find  you  in  your  sins,  or  as  having  fled  for  icfnge  to  a  Saviour's  arms? 
"  The  next  case  was  that  of  Joseph  Stevens,  a  native  of  Ireland  This 
unfortunate  stranger  was  so  dreadfully  scalded,  and  had  inhaled  so  much 
steam,  that  he  could  inerely  speak  in  a  whisper.  By  the  dressing  he  had 
received,  no  part  of  his  face  was  visible  but  his  lips.  I  took  a  seat  by  his 
side,  and  tenderly  expressed  my  wishes  that  God  might  command  a  bless- 
ing upon  the  means  used,  with  the  hope  of  his  recovery;  and  especially 
grant  him  mercy  and  peace  through  a  blessed  Redeemer,  whatever  might 
be  the  issue  of  his  present  misfortune.  Though  the  poor  creature  was 
severely  scalded  in  his  throat,  he  thus  expressed  the  greater  agony  of  his 
mind.  '  O  how  distressing!  God  has  turned  his  back  upon  me  in  this 
judgm.ent.  It  is  no  more  than  I  deserved,  for  I  have  been  a  great  sinner.' 
This  was  no  time  for  me  to  probe  the  man's  wounded  mind  deeper,  by 
asking  him  questions  on  his  conduct,  which,  under  other  circumstances, 
might  have  been  necessary,  for  death  was  now  evidently  approaching. 
I  therefore  immediately  directed  him  to  the  Saviour,  and  explained  to  him 
in  what  manner  God  can  bestow  mercy  upon  the  penitent  sinners,  through 
the  sufferings  and  death  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  I  further  encouraged 
his  desire,  by  assuring  him,  from  the  Scriptures,  tliat  '  Christ  was  able  to 
save  to  the  uttermost,  all  that  came,  unto  God  throu^li  him,^  let  their  trans- 
gressions or  their  miseries  be  never  so  great.  He  faintly  replied,  '  O  that 
Jesus  Christ  would  look  upon  me,  and  save  my  poor  soul.'  Reader, 
pause ;  think  seriously ;  pray  that  ilie  Saviour  may  pardon  you,  before 
the  grim  visage  of  death  appears." 


262  CROSSING  THE  BAR  OF  OLD  AGE. 

the  feeliiigs  of  my  heart,  and  the  acknowledgment  of 
that  gratitude  wliicli  is  due  to  my  heavenly  Master, 
on  my  arriving  at  the  day  of  old  age.  The  Lord  has 
dealt  well  wilk  me  throuiili  a  lon<>-  hfe,  and  not  one 
word  which  he  promised  liath  failed  me.  This  day, 
to  me,  is  somewhat  like  the  mariner's  when  crossing 
over  the  bar  which  separates  the  ocean  from  the 
harbour's  mouth,  and  which  he  seldom  passes  over 
without  fear,  and  perhaps  never  without  feeling; 
only  with  this  difference — the  mariner  may  repeat- 
edly cross  the  satne  bar,  and  go  in  and  out  of  port  in 
the  course  of  his  life;  but  I  am  crossing  that  bar  of 
old  age,  which  I  shall  never  cross  again!  No,  here  1 
must  confine  myself  a  little  while,  floating,  as  in  shoal 
water,  and  wait  until  it  shall  please  God  to  open  to 
me  the  port  of  eternity. 

"  David  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age  when 
Samuel  anointed  him  successor  to  the  throne  of  Saul ; 
and  in  his  old  age,  he  piously  acknowledges — '  O  God, 
thou  hast  taught  me  from  my  youth:  ami  hitherto  have 
I  declared  thy  wonderful  works:''  therefore,  as  a  ser- 
vant of  the  Lord,  he  })lead  with  his  Master — '  Noxo 
also,  when  I  am  old  and  grey  headed,  O  God,  forsake 
me  not.' 

"  It  pleased  God  to  grant  me  also  some  gracious 
lessons  of  instruction  in  my  early  life,  and  to  claim 
me  as  his  servant;  else  I  am  certain,  that  I  never 
should  have  chosen  him  for  my  Master,  nor  his 
ministry  for  my  service.  But,  alas  !  sometimes,  wlien 
I  am  under  a  cloud  of  mental  depression,  I  find  it 
ditiicult  to  determine  whetlier  I  am  indeed  a  servant 
of  the  Lord.  Nevertheless,  when  I  contemplate  the 
free  gift  of  his  grace,  and  that  he  has  condescended 
to  employ  me  as  the  instrument  of  good  to  others, 
and  the  numberless  instances  of  his  kindness  through 
the  diversified  scenes  of  my  life,  I  would  be  ashamed 
to  say,  however  unworthy,  that  I  am  not  his  servant, 
or  that  I  am  tired  of  his  service.     On  the  contrary, 


GRATEFUL  REMINISCENCES.  263 

it  is  iriy  fervent  desire  and  daily  prayer,  that  my 
blessed  Lord  would  grant  me  more  faith,  love,  for- 
titude, and  zeal,  to  do  his  will  daring  the  few  days 
that  I  may  yet  be  continued  a  labourer  in  his  vine- 
yard. 1  will,  therefore,  try  to  follow  the  example 
of  David,  and  in  this  paper  attempt  to  record  the 
memorial  of  my  gratitude  for  the  goodness  of  the 
Lord. 

"  I.  The  Lord  hath  numbered  my  days,  and  length- 
ened out  my  life  much  beyond  the  period  a'lotted  to 
any  of  my  family,  of  whom  I  have  any  knowledge. 
This  preservation  I  cannot  attribute  to  a  firm  consti- 
tution, being  in  early  life  rather  of  a  feeble  habit,  and 
labouring  under  those  infirmities  which,  in  their  very 
nature,  were  more  likely  to  sliorten  than  to  extend 
the  life  of  man. 

"  Not  one  of  my  associates  in  youth  are  now  living. 
In  my  early  ministry,  I  enjoyed  a  large  circle  of  af- 
fectionate brethren  in  Europe  ;  and  since  my  resi- 
dence in  America,  my  ministerial  connections  have 
been  far  more  extensive;  but  now,  when  i  look 
around,  I  can  number  only  four  of  my  old  companions 
who  are  yot  vvitii  me  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

"  I  have  been  assisted  to  educate  a  considerable 
number  of  pious  young  men  for  the  gospel  ministry; 
and  while  more  than  one  half  of  them  have  been  cut 
down  by  death,  in  the  very  bloom  of  their  usefulness, 
the  Lord  hath  spared  and  continued  me  in  his  service 
to  the  present  day. 

"  Having  resided  in  the  city  of  New- York  for  about 
forty  years,  1  liave  witnessed  many  changes  af«ong 
the  clergy  of  all  denominations  ;  and  at  this  time  I  am 
not  only  the  oldest  minister  in  the  city  in  point  of  age, 
but  in  respect  to  office.  How  great,  therefore,  is  tlse 
mercy  and  long-suffering  of  God  to  me !  May  I  pos- 
sess a  heart  filled  with  gratitude,  in  proportion  to  the 
favours  which  I  have  received. 

''  IL  In  the  diversified  paths  of  my  long  life,  I  have 


*2{)4    Di:Ni;FiT6  OF  AFFLICTION   ACKNOWLECGED. 

boon  IcmI  throiii^h  forests  of  affliction,  over  hills  and 
iiv>i.intains  of  diilicuky,  and  somelimcs  in  the  pleasant 
vales  of  prosperity.  Often  have  I  [)roposed  tlie 
question, — Can  this  he  the  way,  so  ftdl  of  thorns,  so 
many  dangers  on  either  hand,  and  so  many  dispen- 
sations which  appear  to  cross  and  contradict  each 
Cither? — can  such  ways  lead  either  to  nsefulness  on 
earth,  or  hring  me  to  a  peaceful  end?  But,  sooner 
or  later,  I  have  been  taught  to  know,  that  the  Lord, 
in  all  these  seemingly  adverse  paths,  was  dealing  well 
with  nie.  No  other  ways  could  have  answered  the 
])urpose  ;  and  however  crooked  they  then  appeared, 
now  1  am  convinced  that  they  form  one  straight  line 
of  wisdom  and  goodness.  No  wonder  that  such  a 
sinful  creature  should  need  the  rod  of  affliction ;  every 
stroke  has  been  justly  merited;  and  although  the 
Lord  has  often  '  slioiccd  me  hard  things^  and  made  me 
to  drink  of  the  wine  C{f  asionisluncnt,''  yet,  '  I  Icnow  that 
his  judgments  are  rigid,  and  that  he  in  faithfulness  and 
mercy  hath  ajjlicted  me.^  As  Jacob  made  a  coat  of 
diverse  colours,  exactly  suited  to  the  back  of  his  son 
Joseph,  and  which  afterwards  proved  emblematic  of 
his  diversified  afflictions,  even  so  the  variegated  suf- 
ferings of  my  life,  have  been  fitted  to  my  temper,  dis- 
position, and  tlie  many  evils  vvhich  for  so  many  years 
have  lodged  in  ?iiy  heart,  aiid  often  prompted  me  to 
dcj)art  from  that  blessed  Lord  whom  i  have  desired 
to  love  and  serve. 

"  ill.  Li  my  domestic  life,  and  all  the  concerns 
of  my  family,  the  Lord  hath  dealt  v/ell  with  me, 
thougfi  1  Ijave  here  likewise  passed  through  many 
checquered  scenes.  Among  these  1  may  mention, 
that  by  the  fatal  pestilence  which  ravaged  our  city  in 
the  year  1798,  the  beloved  wife  of  my  bosom  was 
torn  from  my  embrace;  and,  by  the  same  fell  disease, 
I  was  so  nearly  reduced  to  the  grave,  that  all  hope  of 
my  recovery  was  abandoned.  Yet  the  Lord  remem- 
bered me  in  my  low  estate,  raised  me  up  from  the 


HIS  CHILDREN  FEAR  THE  LORD*       265 

gates  of  death,  and  assisted  me  to  bring  up  my  four 
young  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 

"  Although  in  the  beginning  of  this  year,  (1824)  I 
was  deprived  of  my  son  William,  by  death,  in  the 
VV^est-Indies,  when  in  the  thirty-first  year  of  his  age, 
my  other  children  yet  live,  and  are  settled  in  circum- 
stances of  comfort  and  respectability;  and,  what  is 
still  more  gratifying  to  me,  they  all  fear  the  Lord  my 
God. 

"  Like  many  others  in  domestic  life,  I  have  known 
^vhat  it  means  to  be  in  straits;  my  ways  have  some- 
times been  hedged  up  as  with  thorns,  yet  my  table 
has  never  wanted  bread,  and  I  have  witnessed  many 
wonderful  interpositions  of  Providence  for  my  supply^ 
from  quarters  least  expected.  Thus,  the  Lord  hatk 
dealt  well  with  me,  fed  me  ail  my  life  long,  and  nowp 
in  my  old  age,  '  /  have  all  tilings  and  abound  f  so  that 
\  may  say  with  David,  when  he  went  in  and  sat  before 
the  Lord — *  IV ho  am  /,  O  Lord  God^  And  ivhat  is 
nv/  house,  that  thou  hast  brought  me  hitherto  /' 

"  IV.  By  calling  me  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel 
so  early  in  life,  and  continuing  me  in  his  service  for 
so  very  many  years,  my  Lord  hath  surely  '  dealt  well 
with  me,'  his  most  unworthy  servant.  For  a  number 
of  years  I  have  sustained  the  pastoral  office  over  three 
several  churches,  and  superintended  an  extensive 
academy. 

"  In  the  year  1813  new  scenes  and  duties  de- 
manded my  attention,  being  called,  in  the  providence 
of  God,  to  take  the  ministerial  charge  of  the  various 
humane  and  criminal  institutions  in  the  city  of  New- 
York,  in  which  duty  I  continue  to  this  day — let  all 
the  honour  and  the  glory  be  ascribed  to  his  most 
adored  and  ever-blessed  name! 

"  y.    I  am   now  seriously  disposed  to  contrast  my 
divine  Master's  conduct  with    my  own,    and  to  ex 
hibit  the  bright  jewels  of  his  mercies  to  me,  on  the 
dark  ground  of  my  own  sinfulness,  and  extreme  un- 

23 


166     CHRIST  THE  ONLY  UEfTrGE  FOR  THE  SOLL. 

worthiness.  Witli  David,  in  the  103(1  Psalni,  J  nmy 
certainly  confess  that,  '  He  hath  iwt  dealt  vith  wc 
after  my  sins,  nor  rewarded, me  according  io  my  iniqui- 
ties.^ Not  oniy  my  temper,  zeal,  activity,  devotion, 
spirituality,  ail  these  have  been  wol'uHy  detective,  but 
too  much  of  my  time  and  talents  have  been  misapplied 
and  misimproved.  But,  O  my  vile  heart !  that  is  the 
worst;  seldom  right  with  God,  and  ever  has  it  been 
prone  to  neglect  and  wander  far  away  from  the  I^ord 
and  Master  whom  it  was  my  duty  and  interest  both  to 
love  and  serve.  This  is  not  all ;  my  heart  has  been, 
and  still  is,  too  much  like  a  nest  of  unclean  birds  ;  an 
host  of  evils  lodge  within,  corrupt  in  their  nature,  and 
violent  in  their  operation,  frequently  rendering  me  a 
burden  to  myself.  1  once  thought  that  these  hidden 
Qvils  of  the  heart  would  certainly  w-eaken  with  my 
declining  years,  and  allow  me  more  ease  in  worshi}>- 
ping  and  serving  the  Lord ;  but,  however  it  may  be 
with  others,  in  this  I  was  mistaken.  Like  Paul's 
^  body  of  sin  and  death,''  my  heart  continues  chained  to 
the  new  man;  and  perhaps  the  longer  I  exist,  it  will 
become  more  offensive  and  disgusting,  until  I  finally 
depart  in  deaths  My  only  resource  for  present 
strength  to  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body,  and  n-y 
hope  for  final  victory,  is,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  Here  I  rest;  and  were  it  not  for  this  immu- 
table Rock,  I  should  inevitably  sink  in  despair! 

"  In  concludinfi^  this  short  testimonv  of  the  eood- 
neSs  of  my  Heavenly  Father  to  me,  what  shall  1  say 
more,  than  that  my  soul  doth  pray  for  greater  faith, 
love,  and  patience.  With  Job,  I  can  say,  '  All  the 
days  of  my  appointed  tiinc  ivill  I  uaii  iill  my  change 
come  :'  therefore,  with  David  I  will  ventiire  to  add  :— 
'  Into  thine  hand  I  commit  my  spirit,  ihcu  hast  rcdecmid 
me,  O  Lord  God  oftriffh/     Amen." 


CHAPTER  XV. 

MR.   STVNFORn's  LABOURS  IN  THE  ORPHAN-ASYLUM   BLICSSKD 

HIS    P  >:iT;iAIT — DKAril     OF    Ttia    RZV.  JOHN    WILLIAMS, 

REV.  DR.  FURVIAN,  AND  THE  REV.  DR.  fJALDWIN — HIS  EX- 
ERPIONS  LEAD  TO  THE  FORMATION  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF 
nCPUGC COMPOSJiS  A  NEW  TRACT,  ENTITLED  THE  PRI- 
SONER'S COMPANION — MEMORIAI.. 

Amongst  the  orphans  at  the  Asylum,  Mr.  Stanford 
spent  some  of  his  happiest  hours.  They  were  the 
frequent  subjects  of  his  impassioned  conversation.  As 
a  father,  he  felt  for  their  helpless  condition ;  and  as 
a  minister  of  Christ,  he  laboured  and  prayed  for  their 
spiritual  advantage.  When  they  were  sick,  his  sym- 
pathies were  excited ;  and  when  any  of  them  sunk 
into  the  arms  of  death,  he  wept  over  them.  But  not 
unfrequently  was  he  permitted  to  enjoy  the  consolation 
of  knowing,  that  his  labours  of  love  had  not  been  in 
vain  in  the  Lord. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  1825,  he  remarks  : — "I  rode 
to  the  Orphan-Asylum,  and  delivered  a  discourse  at 
the  funeral  of  Joseph  Foster,  aged  eleven  years.  It 
is  believed  he  died  happy  in  the  Lord." 

* '  New-  York,  March  3d,  1 825. 

*'  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

*'  It  is  with  unfeigned  pleasure  I  inform  you,  that 
the  Common  Council,  at  their  last  meeting,  passed  a 
resolution,  requesting  you  to  sit  for  your  portrait,  and 
authorized  the  committee  on  public  offices,  to  attend 
to  the  execution  of  it.  In  behalf  of  that  committee, 
I  respectfully  solicit  your  consent  to  their  wishes.  I 
need  not  say,  and  I  am  quite  sure  I  need  not  tell 


268  MR.  STANFOPtD'^  FORTrvAIT. 

you,  how  gratifying  your  acquiesence  will  be  to  every 
member  of  the  Coinmon  Council,  but  it  cannot  be 
more  so  to  any  than  to 

"  Your  obedient  friend  and  servant, 

"  E.  W.  K[NG." 
*'  F.  S.     In  case  of  your  acceptance,   will  you  do 
me  the  favour  to  name  tlie  artist  whom  you  prefer  to 
execute  the  work." 

Tiie  portrait  of  Mr.  Stanford  was  executed  by  that 
finished  artist,  Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  Esq.  and  is  de- 
posited in  the  dining-room  at  Bellevue.  As  a  likeness, 
and  in  style  of  execution,  it  is  not  surpassed  by  any 
thing  of  the  kind  in  our  city. 

May  24tl),  Mr.  Stanford  delivered  a  discourse  on 
the  death  of  the  Kev.  John  Williams,  the  beloved  and 
universally  lamented  pastor  of  the  church  in  Oliver- 
street.  A  brief  memoir  of  this  venerable  servant  of 
Christ,  may  be  found  in  the  Appendix  to  this  volume. 

Saturday,  June  4th.  Mr.  S.  says—"  Yesterday, 
between  fiva  and  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  was 
visited  with  a  shock,  bordering  on  apoplexy.  It  lasted 
about  twenty  minutes,  and  affected  my  whole  frame 
in  an  indescribable  manner.  The  physicians  attend- 
ing could  give  me  no  aid.  Thanks  be  to  the  Lord, 
my  mind  was  calm,  and  he  enabled  me  to  exclaim, 
*  Sa^  unto  my  soid,  I  am  thy  salvaiioii.^  O  how  neces- 
sary to  be  ready  for  the  last  change  !" 

Tuesday,  September  6th.  Mr.  S.  says — "  This 
day  heard  of  the  death  of  my  intimate  and  excellent 
friends,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fursnan,  of  Charleston,  South- 
Carolina;  and  the  Ilev.  Dr.  Baldwin,  of  Boston,  both 
about  my  own  age.  O  Lord,  by  thy  grace,  prepare 
me  to  follow  them." 

Brief  memoirs  of  those  eminent  servants  of  Christ, 
written  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wayland,  president  of  Brov.M 
University,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Brant ly,  of  Philadelphia j 
will  be  found  in  the  Appendix  to  this  volume. 


THE  MURDERER  OF  CAPT.  WEST.      ^69 

Monday,  October  3d.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  S.  by 
invitation,  rode  to  Fourth-street,  and  laid  the  corner- 
stone of  the  Third  Congregational  Church,  and  de- 
livered an  address. 

Tuesday,  4th.  In  the  morning  he  went  to  the 
Bridewell,  to  see  James  Reynolds,  about  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  who  was  condemned  to  death  for  the 
murder  of  Captain  West.  Contrary  to  his  expecta- 
tions, he  found  the  prisoner  very  attentive  to  the 
concerns  of  his  soul. 

"  Thursday,  October  20th.  After  giving  a  dis- 
course in  the  Bridewell,  I  visited  the  condemned,  in 
company  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sommers." 

"  This  day,"  says  Mr.  Stanford,  "  I  entered  into  my 
seventy-second  year — a  mercy  beyond  what  I  could 
have  anticipated,  llow  great  has  been  the  patience 
and  forbearance  of  the  Lord,"  notwithstanding  my 
great  unworthiness  and  numberless  sins!  Except 
two  weeks  ia  June,  when  I  had  a  fit,  approacliing  to 
apoplexy,  I  have  been  indulged  with  a  great  degree 
of  strength,  and  assisted  to  perform  all  my  public 
services  in  preaching,  and  in  visiting  the  various 
institutions  committed  to  my  care.  Nor  has  my  pea 
been  altogether  unemployed.  The  Lord  has  graci- 
ously assisted  me  during  the  year  to  compose  several 
pieces  on  theology,  and  to  write  much  with  reference 
to  the  public  institutions;  all  of  which,  I  devoutly  ac- 
knowledge, were  performed  by  the  special  aids  of  my 
Lord,  without  which  my  public  usefulness  must  have 
ceased  long  ere  this ;  therefore,  I  this  day  lay  the 
whole  of  my  year's  services,  with  any  benefits  which 
may  have  attended  them,  at  the  feet  of  my  Lord  and 
Saviour,  ascribing  all  the  honour  and  praise  to  his 
adorable  name. 

"  In  the  estimate  of  human  life,  made  by  Moses 
in  the  90th  Psalm,  he  assures  us,  that  beyond  the 
years  of  seventy,  the  years  of  man  are  but  '  labour 
and  sorrow.'*     This  is  true ;  for  so  I  already  begin 

33* 


270      THE  GRAND  CANAL  CELEBRATION. 

to  find  it;  but  then,  I  presume,  this  relates,  to  the 
bodily  pains  and  sorrows  of  ohl  age.  Still  there 
are  some  alleviations  to  these  infirmities.  '  As  the 
outer  man  peris/ieth,  so  the  soul,  the  inner  man,  may  he 
renewed,  day  by  day  ;^  and  by  this  s|)iritual  and  happy 
renewal,  the  pains  and  sorrows  of  age  may  be  coun- 
terbalanccd,  and  be  more  easily  endured,  and  the  one 
be  made  subservient  to  the  other.  Jiesidcs,  there  are 
duties  which  many  aged  persons  are  assisted  to  per- 
form, which  may  not  be  called  labour,  and  instead  of 
engendering  sorrow,  they  aflbrd  the  most  desirable 
pleasures  !  The  service  of  the  Ijord  is  perfect  free- 
dom :  '  In  keeping  his  commandments  there  is  great 
reward.^  It  cannot  be,  therefore,  but  that  these  must 
prove  a  reviving  cordial  to  counteract  the  sorrov.s 
of  a  poor  old  man.  In  no  part  of  the  last  year,  have 
I  found  the  work  of  the  Lord  too  laborious;  my  sor- 
rows have  arisen  from  pain  in  the  body,  and  more  ^;o 
from  the  evils  of  my  heart,  and  my  deficiency  in  holy 
duties.  These  have  been,  and  still  are,  my  iieavicst 
sorrows.  And  therefore,  I  do  this  day  humbly  beseech 
my  good  Lord,  by  his  grace,  to  revive  his  work  in  me, 
and  by  me,  if  he  shall  please  to  add  to  the  number  of 
my  days,  and  continue  me  longer  in  his  service. 
Thus,  '  Alt  the  days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait 
till  my  change  come'' — '  Icoldng  for  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  unto  eternal  life^     Amen." 

Friday,  the  4th  of  November,  was  the  day  appointed 
for  ("  the  Grand  Canal  Celebration,")  uniting  the 
waters  of  Lake  Erie  v.ith  those  of  the  ocecn.  By 
special  invitation,  Mr.  Stanford  accompanied  the  Cor- 
poration of  the  city  on  the  occasion.  The  orator  of 
the  day  was  his  intimate  friend  and  neighbour,  the 
late  Samuel  L.  Mitchiil,  M.  D.,  LL.  D. 

Monday,  21st.  Mr.  S.  says — "  Quite  unwell  ail 
day,  yet  in  the  evening  was  under  tiie  necessity  of 
going  to  the  City-Hotel,  for  the  purpose  of  delivering 
an  address  at  the  anniversarv  of  the  Society  for  thg 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  N.  Y.  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE.    271 

Refonnation  of  Juvenile  Delinquents."  That  elo- 
quent and  s{3irit-stirring  address  will  not  soon  be  for- 
gotten by  those  who  heard  it. 

It  is  a  circumstance  peculiarly  gratifying  to  the 
friends  of  Mr.  Stanford,  that  in  addition  to  his  useful- 
ness in  the  ordinary  routine  of  ministerial  duties,  he 
enjoyed  the  high  gratification  of  having  been  instru- 
mental in  originating  the  "  House  of  llefuge"  in  the 
city  of  New- York.  This  beini;  the  first  of  the  kind  in 
the  United  States,  in  which  the  experiment  of  juvenile 
reformation,  has  been  fairly  attempted ;  and  which, 
after  it  had  been  in  operation  two  years,  Governor 
(ylinton  declared,  in  his  annual  message  of  1826,  to 
be,  "  perhaps  the  best  penitentiary  institution  which 
liad  over  been  devised  by  the  wit,  and  established  by 
the  lieneficence  of  man."  It  is  due  alike  to  truth, 
and  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Stanford,  to  insert  in  this 
place,  the  documents  ivhich  relate  to  tiiis  interesting 
subject. 

E?i:iract  from  the  New- York  Gazette. 
*'  Common  Coimcit. — A  letter  was  read  from  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Stanford,  stating,  that  a  number  of  youth, 
convicted  of  petty  thefts,  had  been  sent  by  the  Police 
to  the  Penitentiary,  in  the  ho]}e  of  mending  their 
morals,  w;hich  lie  believed  had  a  contrary  effect.  Ho 
stated,  that  an  interesting  orphan  boy  of  fourteen 
years,  under  his  charge,  had  been  found  in  the  mar- 
ket, and  sent  to  the  Penitentiary — that  he  v/rote  an 
excellent  hand,  and  was  otherwise  comjietent  for 
business — that  he  had  procured  a  place  for  him  in  a 
merchant's  counting-house,  but  the  gentleman,  on 
hearing  that  the  lad  had  been  in  the  Penitentiar}-, 
declined  taking  him — that  nobody  seemed  inclined  to 
take  boys  from  that  establishment.  Ptir.  S.  recom- 
mends, both  on  the  score  of  economy  to  the  public, 
and  the  better  correction  of  the  m.orals  of  children  of 
this  description,  that  an  asylum  be  founded,  solely 


272       ADDRESS  TO  THE  CORPORATION. 

appropriated  to  their  use.    Tliis  letter  was  referred  to 
the  Mayor  and  Commissioners  of  the  Ahiis-House." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  document 
referred  to,  and  (written  more  than  twelve  years 
before  the  plan  was  carried  into  operation,)  will 
settle  the  question  as  to  the  origin  of  the  New-York 
House  of  Refuge. 

''  To  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  the  City  of  Neic- 

York, 

"■  GENTLEMEN, 

"  That  the  respectability  and  happiness  of  any 
country  materially  depends  on  the  principles  and 
habits  of  the  rising  generation,  is  a  self-evident  pro- 
position. 

"  The  benevolent  exertions  of  different  societies 
to  establish  schools  in  our  city  for  orphans,  and  for 
the  children  of  the  indigent,  demand  our  thanks  to 
that  God  who  is  *  The  Cridde  of  our  yoiilh^^  and  also 
to  the  generous  public.  Especially  for  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Orphan-House,  and  the  New-York  City 
Charity  School ;  to  the  accomplishment  of  Vt^hich,  citi- 
zens of  all  denominations  have  liberally  contributed. 

"  I  now  beg  leave  to  direct  your  attention  to  a 
subject  of  equal,  if  not  of  superior  importance,  and 
which  devolves  more  immediately  upon  your  honour- 
able body,  as  the  guardians  of  the  city.  It  is,  to 
make  an  attempt  to  rescue  from  indolence,  vice,  and 
danger,  the  hundreds  of  vagrant  children  and  youth 
who,  day  and  night,  infest  our  streets ;  many  of  whom 
have,  in  the  course  of  divine  Providence,  been  cast 
upon  the  world  as  friendless  orphans.  It  is  no  un- 
common occurrence,  to  see  some  of  these  unfortunate 
children  brought  before  the  Police,  who  are  compelled 
to  inflict  upon  them  the  punishment  of  violated  law, 
although  it  is  frequently  evident  that  they  were  be- 
trayed into  the  commission  of  those  very  crimes,  by 
circumstances  not  subject  to  their  control. 


PLAN  OF  THE  PFIOPOSED  INSTITUTION.         273 

'•  Some  months  ago  the  grand  jiiry  represented 
this  case,  as  well  as  others  of  liigh  importance,  to  the 
judicial  authorities  of  tins  city.  At  the  same  time, 
adverted  to  the  unhapj}y  Condition  of  a  nnmber  of 
children  from  eleven  to  fourteen  years  of  age,  ccii- 
tined  in  the  State-Prison.  From  my  personal  know- 
ledge of  this  fact,  and  deeply  impressed  by  frequc^ntly 
beholding  their  situation,  J  attempted  to  second  the 
recominendation  of  that  jnry  in  a  {paragraph,  intro- 
diiccd  into  several  newspapersj  under  tiie  signature 
of  '  Amicus.' 

*'  [n  a  recent  conversation  with  one  of  your  worthy 
aldermen,  the  subject  was  revived,  and  it  was  deemed 
a  duty  incumbent  on  me  to  form  something  like  a 
})ian  for  the  rescue  of  these  unfortunate  children  from 
the  temptations  to  which  they  are  exposed,  and  that 
inevitable  ruin  to  which,  without  your  assistance, 
they  appear  to  be  doomed.  Your  well  known  dispo- 
sition to  promote  the  civil  and  moral  interests  of  this 
large  city,  is  my  apology  for  presenting  to  your  con- 
sideration, a  subject  in  which,  as  individuals  and  as  a 
community,  we  are  all  most  deeply  interested.  Allow 
me,  gentlemen,  to  invite  your  attention  to  that  class 
of  youth  particularly  referred  to,  the  manner  in  which 
their  case  may  be  relieved,  and  some  of  the  probable 
w^ays  and  means  by  which  this  desirable  end  may  be 
attained. 

*'  The  objects.  These  are,  not  the  vagrant  chil- 
dren who  have  parents  existing  in  the  city,  although 
such  parents  may  be  more  abandoned  than  their  off- 
spring. To  assume  the  charge  of  such,  without  the 
consent  of  their  parents,  would  be  a  violation  of  the 
law  of  our  country,  as  well  as  of  the  law  of  nature, 
which  give,  to  parents  alone  the  government  of  their 
children,  unless  such  be  found  violators  of  known  civil 
law.  Nor  do  I,  at  present,  solicit  your  interference 
on  the  behalf  of  the  unhappy  youth  confined  in  the 
State-Prison;  for  these  are  more  imm.ediatelv  under 


274         PLAN  OF  THE  PROPOSED  INSTITUTION. 

the  authority  of  the  Legislature.  My  particular  de- 
sire  is,  to  entreat  your  immcdiaic  aUenl'wn  to  those 
vagrants  wiio  are  lound  infesting  our  streets,  docks, 
and  markets,  without  any  visible  means  of  support, 
and  who  can  give  no  correct  account  of  themselves 
or  their  parents,  and  whose  situation  naturally  leads 
to  indolence  and  crime.  It  is  no  uncommon  circum- 
stance, to  find  children  and  youth  of  the  above  de- 
scription in  houses  of  ill-fame,  where  their  vicious 
habits  become  confirmed,  and  eventually  bring  them 
to  public  shame  and  p>unishment.  The  great  increase 
of  this  class  has  become  a  subject  of  deep  anxiety 
and  reasonable  alarm  to  the  minds  of  the  virtuous 
inhabitants.  To  this  it  might  be  added,  that  there 
are  many  idle  and  vagrant  children  whose  parents 
reside  beyond  the  boundaries  of  the  city  and  county, 
who  abandon  their  children  to  vicious  practices,  for 
the  purpose  of  aiding  in  their  own  supi)ort.  These 
also  require  your  special  attention,  until  such  parents 
shall  present  their  claim,  and  be  compelled  to  take 
their  children  under  tbeir  own  protection. 

"  Relief.  I  would  respectfully  recommend  that  a 
house  be  procured,  as  an  asylum  for  vagrant  youth, 
iJie  convenienclcs  and  extent  of  which  mav  be  easily 
conceived.  Here  five  important  points  at  least  will 
claim  your  attention. 

"  1.  Their  proper  chissification,  so  as  to  preserve 
them  from  the  influence  of  depraved  associates. 

"  2.  The  cultivation  of  habits  of  industry,  and  in- 
struction in  such  branches  of  the  mechanic  arts,  as 
may  be  necessary  to  secure  their  future  support  and 
comfort. 

*'  3.  That  a  suitable  proportion  of  their  time  be 
appropriated  to  the  acquirement  of  a  good  education. 
And  that  those  who  are  capable  of  sea-service,  should 
be  taught  the  rudiments  of  navii]ration.  This  would 
enhance  the  value  of  the  institution,  and  promote  the 
benefit  of  our  commerce. 


WAYS  AND  MEANS.  275 

*'  4.  That  suitable  measures  sliould  be  adopted  for 
their  moral  and  religious  instruction, without  which, 
their  entire  reformation  cannot  be  effected. 

"  5.  That  when  any  of  the  3'outh  shall  give  satis- 
factory evidence  of  reformation,  suitable  recommen- 
dations should  be  given  to  those  who  may  require 
tlieir  service,  and  places  bo  provided  for  them  by  the 
guardians,  or  board  of  directors  of  the  institution. 

"  It  is  necessary  to  add,  that  this  institution  should 
by  a  law  of  the  Legislature,  be  placed  under  the 
government  of  the  Corporation  of  tlie  city  of  New- 
York.  The  duties  of  which  will  be  rendered  con]- 
parativeiy  easy,  by  dividing  the  members  into  distinct 
committees  for  the  purpose  of  systematic  and  periodi- 
cal visitation.  Or,  that  the  Corporation  might  be 
empowered  to  appoint  a  suitable  number  of  intelligent 
find  benevolent  inspectors  for  this  pur])ose. 

*'  Ways  and  me  vn.-3.  1.  As  this  object  cannot 
well  be  accomplished  without  the  concurrence  of  the 
Legislature,  is  it  not  mere  than  probable,  that  they 
would  pass  an  act  for  the  establishment  of  such  an 
institution,  and  be  so  t'av  impressed  witfi  a  coiiviction 
of  its  utility,  as  to  make  an  appropriation  of  moiicv  to 
aid  in  its  commencement. 

•'  2.  The  Corporation,  it  is  presumed,  have  pov.er 
to  appropriate  a  competent  mnnber  of  lots  in  son'.e 
^■nitable  j)lace  for  the  erection  of  a  buihling;  or,  as  an 
incipient  measure,  to  provid.e  a  pdace  as  a  temporary 
rcfui^c. 

"  3.  If  a  very  small  tax,  for  tlie  ])nrj)osc,  wore 
levied  tov  one  year  only,  it  w^ould  |>robab!v  meet  vyith 
the  entire  concurrence  aiid  approbation  of  all  the  in-^ 
liabitants  of  New-York. 

"  4.  A  subscription  opened  among  the  opulent 
inhabitants  of  this  prosperous  metropolis,  would  no 
doubt  be  responded  to  with  tlieir  accustomed  benevo- 
lence and  liberality. 

'*  5*  When  such  an  institution  \Ya<  once  formed,  it 


276  CONCIAJDI-NG  REMARKS. 

would  soon  bL'  found  materially  to  aid  in  its  own  sup- 
port. In  iho  State-Prison,  the  experiment  has  proved, 
that  young  perhfons  will  more  readily  learn  a  trade, 
and,  when  accustomed  to  the  use  of  tools,  turn  out 
more  work  than  those  farther  advanced  in  life. 

"  The  above  suggestions  are  respectfully  submitted 
to  the  modifications  of  your  superior  wisdom.  Should 
you  so  far  approve  of  the  object,  and  of  the  above 
plan,  as  to  appoint  a  committee  for  further  investiga- 
tion, and  judge  that  in  anyway  my  feeble  efforts  may 
farther  contribute  to  its  maturity,  they  will  be  at  your 
service. 

"  Allow  me,  in  conclusion,  gentlemen,  to  r-cnjOi-k, 
that  the  above  recommendation  is  not  intended  merely 
as  an  act  of  benevolence,  but  for  the  prevention  of 
crime,  ar.d  the  preservation  of  our  civil  and  moral 
interests.  It  cannot  but  be  obvious,  that  if  these 
vagrant  youth  are  allowed  to  increase  in  depravity 
aiiil  in  numbers,  their  pestiferous  influence  will  soon 
become  like  the  rapid  current  of  a  river,  -which  will 
deepen  its  channel,  and  overflow  its  baidis,  until  it 
has  on  every  side  spread  the  desolations  of  a  moral 
conta^rion.  As  a  natural  consequence,  our  Peniten- 
tiaries  must  be  multiplied,  and  thus  an  additional 
burden  devolve  upon  the  community  ;  for  it  is  indis- 
putable, that  every  corrupt  generation  will  produce 
its  own  likeness. 

*'  As  men  of  intelligence,  I  cannot  doubt  that  you 
have  regarded  with  approbation  the  efforts  of  the 
diilerent  rtiigious  societies  in  sending  gospel  mission- 
aries to  our  interior  and  frontier  settlements,  for  the 
purp^osc  of  promoting  the  moral  improvement  of  the 
inhabitants  of  these  regions.  Hut  the  subject  to 
vvhicli  I  luive  now  directed  your  attention,  is  an  at- 
tempt to  ])urify  the  fountain,  and  to  prevent  the 
streams  of  corruption  from  spreading  througliout  tha 
lefjgtii  and  breadth  of  our  happy  country. 

"  In  addition  to  the  above,  permit  njc  to  say,  that, 


LOCATION  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REFUGE.    277 

ihcre  are  many  now  within  the  gloomy  walls  of  the 
State-Prison  who  were  received  from  the  city,  and 
who  deeply  lament,  that,  in  early  life,  they  were  cast 
upon  the  public,  without  parents  or  friends  to  direct 
their  pursuits,  or  to  prevent  them  from  those  allure- 
ments of  evil  associates,  by  which  they  were  decoyed 
into  the  paths  of  crime  and  consequent  ruin. 
**  I  am, 

"  Gentlemen, 

"  With  great  respect, 
"  Your's  in  the  gospel, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD, 
«'  February  ISih,  1812." 

A  letter,  addressed  to  the  Honourable  the  Mayor  of 
New- York,  and  other  papers  relating  to  the  same 
subject,  are  in  our  possession;  but  it  is  deemed  unne- 
cessary here  to  insert  them. 

In  a  subsequent  "  Annual  Report  to  the  Honoura- 
ble the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  the  City  of  New- 
York,"  Mr.  Stanford  again  invited  their  attention  to 
this  interesting  subject,  and  added  several  important 
siiL'^gestions  on  the  desirableness  of  establishing,  in  the 
same  institution,  a  Marine  School,  for  the  education  of 
such  boys  as  might  prefer  a  seafaring  life.  In  the 
same  report  he  directed  the  attention  of  the  Common 
Council  to  the  establishment  then  occupied  as  the 
Uiiitcd  States  Arsenal,  in  the  twelfth  w^ard,  which  he 
had  examined  with  a  particular  view  to  its  adaptation 
as  a  House  of  Refuge,  and  which  was  accordingly 
purchased,  and  is  now  occupied  for  that  purpose,  as 
appears  from  the  following  extract  from  the  Com- 
mercial Advertiser^ 

"  On  Sunday  morning  last,  agreeably  to  previous 
arrangement,  the  House  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  De- 
linquents, at  the  confluence  of  the  Bloomingdale  and 
Harlsem  roads,  was  opened,  bv  the  perforraance  of 

24 


2?8  DEDICATION  .Si:ilMO.\. 

religious  exercises  suited  to  the  occasion.  The  man- 
agers of  the  institution,  and  a  large  conipanv,  com- 
posed of  its  patrons  and  friends,  many  members  of 
the  Legislature,  and  of  the  Common  Council,  and 
several  benevolent  ladies,  who  liave  contributed  their 
services  and  personal  attentions  to  the  girls'  depart- 
ment, were  present.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Stanford,  who,  with 
a  zeal  that  is  apostolical,  and  beyond  his  years,  goes 
about  doing  good,  in  our  Aims-House,  and  Debtors' 
and  other  prisons  and  penitentiaries,  performed  di- 
vine service  :  and  in  his  prayers  and  exhortations, 
was  extremely  aftecting  and  impressive.  His  text 
was  Exodus,  ii.  9 — '  Take  this  child  away  and  nurse 
■it  for  me,  and  I  will  pay  thee  thy  wagesJ'  The  re- 
markable incident  in  the  history  of  Moses,  to  which 
this  refers,  with  its  attendant  circumstances,  gave  to 
tlie  speaker  the  opportunity  of  expounding  the  ways 
of  God  to  man,  in  his  providential  dealings,  whh 
great  and  striking  effect,  and  of  enforcing,  at  the  same 
time,  the  duties  of  benevolence  and  charity  to  the 
poor  and  destitute.  And  the  venerable  preacher  did 
not  forget  '  the  wages'  promised.  What  those  were, 
those  \\\\o  are  accustomed  to  do  good  will  readily  un- 
derstand. 

"  The  objects  present,  consisting  of  a  number  of 
boys  and  girls,  of  tender  years — some  in  a  state  of 
childhood,  others  just  entering  the  period  of  youth, 
rescued  from  the  patlis  of  ignorance  and  criminality, 
into  which  they  had  been  led  by  the  shameful  neglect 
or  the  pernicious  effects  of  evil  example,  on  the  part, 
in  some  instances,  of  their  parents,  and  placed  by  the 
redeeming  spirit  of  heaven-born  charity,  in  a  course 
of  reformation,  could  not  fail  to  avraken,  under  the 
powerful  influence  of  the  speaker,  the  varying  senli- 
liients  of  commiseration  and  sorrow,  for  their  former 
des^radation  and  wretchedness, -and  of  gratitude  and 
joy  for  their  happy  deliverance. 

*'  The  children  appear  in  perfect  health;  and  cxhi- 


IRESENT  NUMBER  OF  INMATES.  279 

bit  the  greatest  decency  in  their  dress  and  deportnrient. 
Ask  an}^  of  them  how  tliey  like  the  House  of  Refuge, 
and  they  will  answer,  that  they  are  contented  and 
pleased;  and  they  appear  duly  to  realize  the  advant- 
ages that  are  placed  within  their  reach,  of  becoming 
useful,  industrious  and  respectable  ;  while  without  the 
benefits  of  this  House,  emphatically  '  of  Refuge,'  it 
is  manifest,  they  would  have  been  left  to  grow  up  as 
candidates  only  for  future  shame  and  ignominy. 

"  There  are  fourteen  girls  and  forty-seven  boys. 
The  number,  it  may  be  expected,  will  now  greatly 
increase,  as  the  new  building  w'ill  accommodate  a 
large  number  of  additional  inmates. 

"  As  a  proof  of  the  ca])acity  of  the  boys  for  active 
and  useful  exertion,  it  ought  to  be  stated,  that  the 
materials  of  the  new  brick  building,  (just  opened) 
were  principally  carried  up  by  them.  They  are  also 
employed  in  other  useful  objects  and  branches  of 
labour. 

'*  The  girls  are  instructed  in  the  business  and  em- 
ployments suited  to  them — and  the  whole  are,  at  fixed 
and  stated  periods,  instructed  in  useful  learning,  and 
in  religious  duty. 

"  A  more  honourable  testimonial  to  the  generosity 
and  public  spirit  of  our  inhabitants  cannot,  it  is  believ- 
ed, be  exhibited  ;  nor  one  that  bids  fairer  to  be  more 
useful,  than  this.  Our  penitentiaries  and  state-prisons 
are  founded  in  the  utmost  clemency  and  mildness  of 
Christianity  itself;  but  to  the  young,  who  are  occa- 
sionally placed  within  their  walls,  they  are  but  schools 
and  nurseries  for  profligacy  and  criminality.  If  evil 
communications  corrupt  good  manners,  what  must  be 
the  necessary  effect  upon  manners  already  depraved.^ 
With  regard  to  young  offenders,  the  answer  is  too 
often  and  too  sadly  realized.  And  in  this  establish- 
ment is  found  the  simple  and  the  true  remedy — se- 
paration from  older  and  more  hardened  offenders — 
the  substitution  of  good    example,  instruction,   and 


280  THE  rRISOx\ER*S  C03!PAM0>(. 

useful  employment,  in  place  of  evil  example,  ignorance, 
and  idleness — and  the  exertion  of  the  power  of  society 
in  the  reformation,  that  it  niav  be  the  njore  safclv  ntjt 
forth  for  the  forgiveness  of  its  unfortunate  chihlrcn." 

Letter  to  the  Kev.  Dr.  Allison. 

''NejC'Yorl:,  May  Oih,  182G. 

**  BIY  DEAR  BROTHER  I.\  CHiM.ST, 

"  We  li(ive  loved  oacii  other  in  Ciirist  Jesu?  for 
very  many  years.  We  sluill  not  meet  again  in  tliis 
vale  of  sorrow,  for  the  time  of  our  departure  is  at 
hand.  That  bleased  Saviour  who  hath  so  lon<;  con- 
ducted  us  in  duty,  and  ])reserved  us  in  suffering,  hath 
already,  by  his  death  and  resurrection,  prepared  for 
us  a  bed  of  death  without  a  thorn.  Let  us  still  look 
to  his  gracious  hand  to  lay  us  gently  dovvn  upon  that 
cold  bed,  in  full  and  certain  hope  of  the  resurrection 
at  the  last  day,  that  we  then  shall  be  transformed 
into  his  glorious  Hkeness,  see  him  as  he  is,  know 
each  other  better  than  we  are  now^  known,  and  join 
the  redeemed  in  triumphant  praises  to  God  and  the 
Lamb  for  ever  and  ever.  With  such  hopes  I  will 
not  bid  you  farewell,  for  we  shall  meet  in  heaven,  to 
part  no  more. 

"  JOHN  STANFORD. '^ 

Thursday,  January  17th,  1826,  Mr.  Stanford  says: 
— *'  Visited  all  the  wards  in  the  Cify-Hospital,  and  then 
gave  a  discourse  with  some  little  satisftiction.  After 
returning:  home,  I  finished  the  Annual  Census,  and 
sent  it  to  the  printer. 

"  Thursday,  Octol)er. 5th.  Finished  the  *  Prison- 
er's Companion,'  and  delivered  the  copy  to  the  com- 
mittee of  the  American  Tract  Society."  This  inter- 
esting publication  was  in)mediat<  ly  stereotyped,  and 
is  continued  in  the  series  of  the  Society's  tracts. 

"  Fridav,    October    20th.      A    violent    storm — no 


MERIT  DISCLAIMED.  281 

carriag'e  cfime  for  me,  and  I  therefore  employed  my- 
self in  writinof." 

"  During  this  day  I  have  indulged  many  serious 
reflections  on  the  path  of  my  long  life.  I  know  not 
that  at  any  one  time  my  spirit  was  laid  more  prostrate 
before  the  Lord,  or  my  gratitude  more  elevated  for 
mercies  and  preservation,  than  during  the  whole  of 
this  day.  Reviewing  my  ministerial  life,  1  was  deeply 
impressed  with  a  conviction,  that  the  servant  of  the 
Lord  should  always  possess  a  habitual  sense  of  the 
vaUie  and  the  damjer  of  the  souls  of  sinners.  He 
ought  to  realize  the  trust  committed  to  him  in  the 
ministry  of  the  gospel,  and  possess  great  love  and  zeal 
for  the  glory  of  God.  Thoughts  like  these  pervaded 
my  mind  ;  so  that  vv^hen  I  looked  back  on  my  more 
than  fifty  years  services,  I  could  not  but  deeply  lament 
that  1  have  possessed  so  small  a  share  of  these  minis-" 
terial  virtues.  1  am  now  beginning  seriously  to  dis- 
cover my  defects,  when  I  have  but  little  time  left  for 
improvement.  I  shall  soon  finish  my  days  and  my 
ministry  together.  These  considerations  humble  my 
soul  in  the  dust.  I  am  deeply  convinced  that  I  can 
have  no  pretensions  to  merit.  All  the  good  I  ever 
had  or  did,  must  be  ascribed  to  the  mercy  and  grace 
of  God.  If  any  sinner,  by  my  means,  has  been  brought 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  or  any  afflicted  saint 
has  been  refreshed,  it  was  the  Lord  that  put  the  life- 
giving,  consoling  word  into  my  lips,  and  clothed  it 
with  his  power  to  produce  the  happy  effect ;  there- 
fore, the  praise  is  not  mine,  but  the  Lord's.  And,  if 
I  have  written  any  thing  which  has  been  found  in- 
structive and  useful  to  individuals,  or  to  the  public,  I 
am  certain  the  Lord  put  the  subject  into  my  heart, 
and  he  guided  my  hand  ;  so  that,  in  the  review  of  my 
many  publications,  I  have  no  regret,  nor  wish  a  single 
page  recalled. 

"  Advancing  towards  my  latter  end,  and  feeling  a 
rapid  increase  of  mental  and  bodily  infirmities,  I  wish 

24* 


282  THE  FOUNDATION  RE-EXAMINED. 

to  look  more  intently  into  the  foundation  of  my  hope, 
that  I  may  not  he  deceived  nor  ashamed.  I  can  say 
with  sincerity,  tluit  the  hojie  I  possess  does  not  spring 
from  either  my  rehgioiis  or  ministerial  profession,  nor 
from  any  scries  of  relisrious  opinions;  hut  upon  the 
sovereiiin  mercy  of  God,  through  the  person,  atone- 
ment, righteousness,  and  grace  of  his  Son,  our  Lord 
and  Saviour,  Jesus  Clirist.  On  this  I  rest:  without 
it  I  must  sink  and  perish  !  Long  as  1  liave  made  a 
profession  of  faith  in  Christ,  I  this  day  find  that  I  still 
want  more  of  tlie  grace  of  fiiitli — that  holy  principle 
which  will  enable  me  to  take  faster  hold,  and  rest 
more  feelingly  upon  Christ,  the  rock,  the  only  sure 
foundation.  The  conflicts  of  my  heart  with  sin,  un- 
belief, and  temptation,  are  frequently  severe,  'i'lje 
body  of  sin  is  weighty,  defiling,  and  loathsome  ;  I 
can  therefore  look  for  no  other  refuge,  support,  and 
victory,  but  in  the  God  of  all  grace,  through  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord.  Like  Moses,  '  I  know  not  the  day  of 
my  death ;^  neither  am  1  anxious  to  know  it,  though 
it  cannot  be  far  distant.  O  that  the  Lord  may  eo  ible 
nie  to  trim  my  lamp,  gird  up  the  loins  of  my  rniiid, 
and  cultivate  those  feelings  which  shall  accord  witii  a 
devout  waiting  for  the  coming  of  my  Lord,  so  that 
when  he  knocks,  I  may  open  to  him  immediately- 
May  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  is  the  glorifier  of  Christ. 
and  the  source  of  all  grace,  grant  me  his  influence  to 
help  my  infirLnities,  increase  my  faith,  and  sanctify  w.j 
affections,  and  it  will  be  the  most  welcome  aiul  valu- 
able gift  1  can  desire^  and  receive,  on  this  my  birth- 
day!" 

On  the  3Ist  of  Deceorber,  1820,  he  writes:— 
**  Thus  closes  another  year.  O  how  great  has  been 
the  patience  of  the  Lord  with  me,  a  poor  sinful  and 
unprofitable  creature.  What  in  futui'ehe  designs  for 
me,  whether  in  life  or  death,  I  leave  to  his  sovereign 
will  aad  pleasure." 


I 


CHAPTER  XYl. 

rrNERAL  OF  THE  REV.  C.  K.   DUFFIE MEMORIAL MR.   STAN- 
FORD A  VI(;E-PR1,SIDENT  of  the  AMERICAN  TRACT   SOCIETT 

MECHANICS   SCHOOL ADDRESS    AT  LAYING  THE  CORNER 

STONE  OF  THE  PENITENTIARY  ON  BLACKWELl's  ISLAND 

RECEIVES    THE    DEGIiEE    OP    DOCTOR    OF    DIVINITY EXER- 
CISES AT  THE   CLOSE  OF   1830. 

January  Ist,  1827,  Mr.  Stanford  says: — "Many 
were  the  liiitiible  and  gnitefal  tiioughts  with  which 
I  commenced  this  year.  My  desiies  to  live  nearer 
the' Jjord  increase  daily  ;  to  have  a  firmer  faith  in  the 
Itedeemer,  and  to  [lononr  his  name  in  whatever  he 
may  allot  me  to  do  or  suffer  ;  and  to  wait  the  time 
when  he  shall  reaiove  me  from  all  below,  in  hope  of 
endless  peace." 

"  January  18th.  Attended  the  Orphan-x'isyluni, 
to  perform  the  funeral  service  over  the  remaijis  of 
Elizabeth  Jessup,  aged  eleven  years,  who  died  happj 
in  the  Lord." 

''  January  31st.  Although  tliis  month  I  laboured 
under  much  bodily  iufirmity,  yet  was  assisted  to  finish 
my  annual  reports  of  the  diiFerent  institutions,  and  to 
perform  my  usual  duties  in  preaching  and  visiting. 
Many  have  been  the  conflicts  of  my  own  heart;  and 
I  humbly  pray  the  Lord  to  pardon  and  cleanse  me 
from  my  sins,  and  cause  his  holy  fear  so  to  operate 
upon  my  heart,  that  I  may  not  de{)art  from  him,  bu; 
love  and  serve  him  to  the  end  of  my  drtys." 

The  following  Qxtract  of  a  letter  from  Samuel  L, 
Hitchill,  M.  D.  LL.  D.  furnishes  another  evidence  of 
the  favourable  light  in  which  the  labours  of  Blr.  Stan- 


284  DEATH  OF  THE  REV.  C.  R.  DUFFIE. 

ford  were  regarded  by  the  most  enlightened  members 
of  tliis  community. 

''New-York,  April  11th,  1827. 

"  MY  DEAR  :SIH, 

"  I5e  pleased  to  accept  my  thanks  for  your  compo- 
sition, entitled  *  The  Prisoner's  Companion,''  published 
lately  by  the  American  Tract  Society.  The  topics 
of  the  nine  sections  seem  admirably  adapted  to  an- 
swer the  purpose  for  which  they  were  intended,  and 
show  the  author's  profound  acquaintance,  from  long 
observation,  with  the  persons  wliom  he  addresses. 

"  1  congratulate  you  on  your  great  industry  ;  and 
on  your  ability  to  finish  so  many  and  such  excellent 
writings  as  you  have  done. 

"  May  you  long  live  to  perform,  among  other  func- 
tions, those  exemplary  ones  that  have  distinguished 
you  as  '  Public  Chaplain  totiie  Humane  and  Criminal 
Institutions  in  the  City  of  New-York.' 

"  Your  book  on  tiie  zoology  of  tJie  Bil)le,  has  edified 
me  much.  I  hope  it  has  had  an  extensive  circulation. 
The  information  it  contains  will  materially  elucidate 
the  sacred  text. 

''  1  avail  myself  of  the  present  opportunity,  to  as- 
sure you  of  my  good  will  and  kind  feeling. 

"  SAMUEL  L.  MITCHILL." 

August  21st,  Mr.  S.  says  : — "  Visited  ten  wards  in 
the  City-Hospital,  and  gave  a  discourse.  In  the  after-' 
noon,  attended  the  funeral  of  the  Rev.  C.  R.  Duffie, 
who,  in  the  midst  of  usefulness,  and  at  an  early  age, 
died,  after  a  few  days  illness;  and  yet  1  am  preserved 
to  very  old  age." 

"  Lord's  day,  September  2d.  Morning,  ventured 
to  the  City-Hospital  with  only  a  scrap  of  notes,  but 
the  Lord  was  pleased  to  multiply  it.  Rode  to  the 
State-Prison,  preached  twice  in  the  chapel,  and  once 
in  the  guard-house.  O  the  goodness  of^^  the  Lord  in 
bearing  with  me,  and  helping  me  this  day.'* 


LKTrEil  FROM  HON.  CHAliLE^  CARR'iLL.        2S5 

"  Thursday,  lOcli.  My  day  to  vhii  the  Marine- 
Hospital  ;  tliere  is  a  considerable  increase  ofparKnts. 
Visited  all  the  wards,  aiui  found  some  coiivalescotit 
sailors  in  the  hall,  to  wiiom  I  gave  a  discourse  on  St. 
Paul's  siiipwreck." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  h.'ttcr  writtGu 
hy  the  patriotic  and  enlightened  Charles  CarroH,  cf 
Carrolkoii,  to  Mr.  Stanford. 

''  Bov-oiwragen,  Ocwhcr  DM,  IS27. 

"  REVEREND  .SIR, 

"  I  was  yesterday  favoured  u'ith  your  friendly  letter 
of  the  iOth  past,  and  the  discourses  on  the  opening  of 
the  House  of  Refuge  for  the  reformation  of  Juvenile 
Delinquents,  and  on  the  death  of  Jefierson  and  Adams  ; 
the  former  I  have  not  yet  read;  witli  tiie  latter  1  am 
liighly  pleased,  and  I  sincerely  thank  you  for  your 
[)ious  wishes  for  my  happiness  in  the  life  to  come. 

'•  Your  sentiments  on  religious  liberty  coincide 
entirely  with  mine.  To  obtain  religious  as  well  as 
civil  liberty,  I  entered  zealously  into  the  revolution; 
and  observing  the  Christian  religion  divided  into 
many  sects,  I  founded  the  hope  that  no  one  would  be 
so  predominant  as  to  become  the  religion  of  the  state. 
That  hope  was  thiis  early  entertained,  because  all  of 
them  joined  in  the  same  cause,  with  a  few  exceptions 
of  individuals.  God  srrant  that  this  reli^-ious  liberty 
may  be  preserved  in  these  States  to  the  end  of  time, 
and  that  all  believins^  in  the  relis^ion  of  Christ,  mar 
practice  the  leading  principle  of  his  religion.  Charity, 
the  basis  of  every  virtue. 

"  I  remain,  with  great  respect, 
"  Reverend  Sir, 

*'  Your  most  humble  servant, 

"  CH.  CARROLL,  OF  CARROLLTON, 
''  In  the  91st  year  of  his  age." 


286  GRATITUDE  FOR  DIVINE  FAVOURS. 

"  Birth-day  Memorial,  on  entering  into  my  74th 
year,  October  20th,  3827. 

*'  Another  year   has    tied!     One   more    birth-day 
memorial  of  the  patience  and  goodness  of  the  Lord 
my  God!     Long  have  I  thought,  from  the  number  of 
my  days,   and  the  increase  of  my  infirmities,  that  I 
was  near  my  journey's  end,   still,   how  greatly  is  it     1 
protracted.     This  is  the  Lord's  doing;  and  while  it 
is  marvellous  in  my  eye?,  it  affords  me  a  further  op- 
portunity to  work  in  his  vineyards,  and  more  abundant 
cause  for  gratitude  and  praise  !     Since  my  last  birth- 
day, I  have  undergone  a  variety  of  conflicts  in  m.y  own 
breast,  on  the  subject  of  my  ministry.     True,  I  have 
this  year  preached  as  frequently,  if  not  more  so,  than 
T  did  fifteen  years  ago  ;  and  yet  1  have  observed  a  de- 
ficiency in  my  ministerial  animation,  as  well  as  in  my 
personal  concerns,  walking  humbly  and  sensibly  with 
the  Lord  my  Saviour.     If  the  multiplicity  of  duties 
performed,    could  constitute   me  a  lively  Christian, 
perhaps  some  bystanders  might  pronounce  me  one  of 
the   first  class;  but  the  exercises  of  my  ovvn  Iieart, 
during  the  last  year,  compel  me   to  take  the  lowest 
seat.     I  must  still  hang  upon  the  same  free  and  un- 
merited mercy,  which  1  preach  to  the  greatest  sinners 
in  my  congregations. 

''  No  particular  changes  or  events  have  taken  place 
with  me  this  year;  the  whole  having  been  employed 
in  my  usual  course  of  public  and  private  services. 

"  Wiien  I  look  on  my  table,  I  find  many  pieces  of 
composition,  which  require  a  finishing  touch  ;  but  in 
this  case  I  may  say,  '  The  spirit  is  willing^  hut  the  flesh 
is  iveak.^  My  senses  grow  dull,  and  my  hand  moves 
slower  every  year,  so  that  Solomon's  admonition 
comes  forcibly  to  mind: — '•Whatsoever  thy  hand  find  eth 
to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might ;  for  there  is  no  work,  nor 
device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  icisdom  in  the  grave,  ichither 
thou  goesV — Ecclesiastes  ix.  10." 

In  his  diary  for  May,  1828,  he  remarks :— ■*'  Tlie 


r 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  N.  V.  MECHANIC:-'  SCHOOL.     287 

Lord  grant  that,  as  1  am  spared  to  commence  lliis 
month,  I  may  be  assisted  to  perform  the  duties  and 
meet  the  events  which  may  he  appointed.  The  State- 
Pjison,  which  I  have  attended  for  twenty-one  years, 
will  in  a  short  time  be  broken  up,  and  the  {)risoners 
be.  sent  to  the  new  prison  at  Sing-Sing.  The  corpo- 
ration of  the  city  will  then  take  possession  of  the  old 
building.  What  new  arrangement  may  take  place  in 
regard  to  my  services,  I  leave  to  the  providence  of 
God."  The  prison  was  purchased  by  the  corporation, 
u  ho  took  possession  of  it  on  the  18th  of  May. 

On  the  7th  of  this  month,  Mr.  Stanford  ^vas 
unanimously  elected  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the 
American  Tract  Society. 

Friday,  July  4th,  he  says: — "  The  anniversary  of 
American  independence.  By  special  invitation  from 
tiie  committee  of  arrangements,  1  attended  the  annual 
celebration  of  the  Mechanic's  Society,  in  Masonic 
Hail.  Made  a  short  address,  and  offered  thanksf^ivino- 
and  prayer.  After  Mr.  Wheaton  had  pronounced  his 
oration,  I  dismissed  the  assembly  with  the  benedic- 
tion." The  improvement  of  this  highly  respectable 
class  of  our  fellov/  citizens,  was  an  object  of  great 
!<olicitude  to  Mr.  S.,  and  he  availed  hiinself  of  every 
opportunity  to  promote  their  influence,  by  the  increase 
of  their  moral  powers.  With  this  view  he  early  di- 
rected his  attention  to  the  subject  of  p-roviding  the 
best  possible  means  for  tlic  jiroper  education  of  the 
<  lijldrcn  of  the  New-York  nicclianics.  He  accord- 
ingly prepared  and  jndjlished  a  document,  addre-sed 
to  the  n)cc!]anics  in  the  city  of  New- York,  inviting 
tiieir  particular  attention  to  the  establishment  of  a 
jiiechauic's  school,  and  describing,  uith  a  master's 
hand,  the  nature,  internal  arrangements,  and  advant- 
ages of  such  an  institution.  To  the  gentlemen  con- 
vened for  the  purpose  of  considering  this  subject,  he 
submitted  the  plan  of  "  A  Mechanic  Scliool,"  which, 
with  3ome  modifications,  was  adopted. 


2$d  GOOD  ADVICE  TO  A   PIIYSIClArf. 

Tuesday,  r2fli,  I-o  went  to  the  Marine-Hospital, 
and  Httciuied  all  the  wards,  in  two  of  them  he  found 
sevL'ral  sailors  in  a  very  hapjiy  and  religious  frame  of 
mi!i(!,  wit'i  whom,  iu  conversation,  he  enjoyed  great 
satisfaction..  A  considerable  number  of  sailors  were 
uftervvards  assembled  in  the  middle  hall,  to  whom  he 
gave  a  discourse  on  Psahn  xcv.  5 — *'  The  sea  is  his, 
II nd  hs  made  it.'''' 

From  Mr.  Stanford,  to  Dr.  Isaac  Wood,  Believuc 
Hospital. 

"  JIY  DEAR  FKIKXD, 

"  Sincere  thanlisfor  your  little  basket  of  eggs.  It 
reminded  mc  of  Job's  interrogation  to  his  mistaken 
friend  Eliplmz,  the  Temanite: — ^Can  that  which  is 
unsavory  be  eaten  without  salt  ?  or  is  there  any  taste  i?i 
the  white  of  an  cggT  1  suppose  most  people  would 
reply  in  the  negative ;  tljough  some  pliilosophers 
would  say,  there  is  no  substance  perfectly  devoid  of 
taste,  llov/ever,  Job's  question  had  a  direct  applica- 
tion to  his  injudicious  and  ungenerous  friend  ;  for 
crTtainly  his  speech  had  no  more  savor  than  relish  is 
to  be  found  in  the  white  of  an  c^g,  whether  eaten 
raw  or  boiled.  Let  us  therefore  remember,  that  on 
visitiijg  the  affiicted,  in  body  or  mind,  alway  to  take 
with  lis  a  little  '  sal!,'  a  drachm  or  two  of  savory 
advice,  which  may  prove  a  refreshment  to  their 
dejected  spirits. 

"  Notwithstanding  my  present  illness  and  great  in- 
liri7\ities,  1  long  for  strength  to  allow'  me  to  visit  my 
poor  people  at  Bellevue!  Who  can  tell,  but  that 
blessed  hand  wdiicii  has  spared  and  conducted  ms 
through  the  dreary  shades  of  the  winter,  may  permit 
me  in  the  next  month  to  enjoy  that  satisfaction  ?  To 
his  ij.les>:ed  care  I  coniti^end  you,  and  remain, 

"  Your's  truly, 

"  JOH>'  STANFORD  " 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS.  289 

Lord's  day,  31st,  Mr.  S.  says: — "  Thus  the  Lord 
has  sjiared  me  through  another  month.  The  heat  of 
the  weather  has  been  intense;  nevertheless,  the  Lord 
has  enabled  me  to  preach  fifty  two  sermons." 

*'  Wednesday,  10th,  rode  to  Belle vue.  Accompa- 
nied the  Mayor  and  Corporation,  to  Blackwell's- 
Island,*  to  deliver  an  address  at  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  the  New  Penitentiary.  The  address 
was  ordered  to  be  printed." 

"  Lord's  day,  28th,  morning,  preached  in  the  City- 
Hospital,  then  rode  to  Bellevue,  and  preached  with 
unexpected  freedom  ;  after  which,  was  rowed  over  to 
Blackwell's-Island,  where  I  delivered  a  discourse  to 
the  prisoners,  and  made  arrangements  for  establishing 
a  Sabbath  school  for  the  benefit  of  the  convicts. 

"  October  1st.  Preached  in  the  Greenwich  prison, 
and  made  arran^^ements  to  form  a  Sabbath  school  for 
the  female  prisoners. 

"  Wednesday,  8th.  Rode  to  the  Orphan-Asylum, 
and  finished  my  course  of  fourteen  morning  lectures 
on  the  history  of  Jos;eph. 

"  Birth-day  Memorial,  on  entering  into  my  75th 
year,  October  20th,  1828. 

"  How  great  and  marvellous  is  the  forbearance  arid 
goodness  of  the  Lord  my  God,  in  keeping  me  alive, 
and  upholding  me  in  his  service  to  this  day,  notwith- 
standing my  complicated  infirmities!  From  my  last 
birth-day,  1  have  been  assisted  to  perform  all  my  usual 
services  in  the  various  public  institutions  which  the 
Lord  has  for  so  many  years  committed  to  my  care, 
and  I  hope  not  without  some  tokens  of  his  blessing. 


*  This  island  is  one  mile  and  three  quarters  in  length,  and  about  six 
hundred  feet  in  width ;  containing  one  hundred  and  ten  acres.  The  soil  is 
excellent,  and  there  is  found  an  exhaustless  quarry  of  granite,  of  superior 
quality.  The  present  buildings  are  each  four  stories  high,  and  about 
two  hundred  feet  in  length,  and  fifty  in  breadth,  containing  double  lines 
of  cells,  each  three  and  a  half  feet  by  seven,  and  capable  of  containing 
in  all.  about  four  hundred  and  eighty  prisoneris. 

25 


290  CLOSL\G  THE  YEAR  WITH  PRAYER. 

It  certainly  is  a  cause  of  gratitude,  that  the  numerons 
classes  of  my  people,  rather  increase  than  diminish  in 
their  respectful  and  affectionate  attention  to  my  ser- 
vices. Still,  from  the  feeling  of  my  increasing  infir- 
mities, and  a  concern  for  the  interest  of  my  poor, 
miserable  people,  I  have  this  year  indulged  serious 
thoughts,  how  far  it  was  my  duty  to  continue  among 
them  as  a  stated  preacher,  or  lookout  for  some  more 
able  and  active  minister  to  take  my  place  ;  but,  as  yet, 
I  have  found  no  person  disposed  to  assume  the  re- 
sponsibility of  ministering  to  these  unfortunate  beings, 
or  to  engage  to  perform  the  requisite  amount  of  active 
service.  I  have  therefore  concluded  that  it  was  the 
will  of  my  God,  whom  1  serve  in  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
that  I  should  persevere. 

"This  year  I  have  been  led  to  know  and  feel  more 
deeply,  what  Solomon  calls  '  the  plagtie  of  a  man'' sown 
heart,^  than  ever  I  knew  or  felt  before.  It  is  there- 
fore my  daily  and  fervent  prayer,  that  my  faith,  love, 
patience,  and  obedience,  may  more  abundantly  in- 
crease ;  that  1  might  be  kept  '  steadfast  and  unmove- 
ahle^  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord;^  that  I 
may  be  found  in  Christ,  and  that  my  last  change  may 
be  honourable  to  God,  whether  I  shall  be  favoured 
with  a  warning  of  the  event,  or  be  suddenly  removed 
from  time  to  eternity.     Amen.^^ 

December  31st,  1828,  Mr.  Stanford  says:—"  Thus 
ends  another  year.  O  that  my  heart  were  more 
deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  long-suffering, 
patience,  and  goodness  of  God  towards  me  !  1  most 
humbly  pray,  that  I  may  be  sanctified  by  the  spirit 
of  Christ,  that  my  faith,  hope,  and  obedience,  may  in- 
crease with  my  days,  and  that  I  may  be  prepared  for 
my  departure.     This  year  preached  five  hundri  d 

AND  TWENTY-THREE  SERMONfc'." 

Monday,  March  16th,  Mr.  S.  says: — "  In  the  after- 
noon, I  visited  the  two  murderers  in  the  Bridewell. 
They  are  to  be  executed  on  the  7th  of  May.*'     In 


^ 


REV.  JOHN  STANFORD,  D.  D.  291 

reference  to  one  of  these  individuals,  Mr.  S.  considered 
it  his  duty,  at  an  early  period  after  conviction,  to  cor- 
respond with  the  Governor  of  the  State;  but  upon  a 
further  examination  of  this  man's  case,  he  became 
satisfied  of  the  actual  guilt,  and  aggravated  barbarity 
of  the  culprit,  and  therefore  resolved  to  withhold  his 
appeal  to  the  pardoning  power  of  the  executive.  This 
i^  another  instance,  alike  creditable  to  the  heart  and 
discrimination  of  our  departed  friend.  The  sympa- 
thies of  his  soul  at  first  prompted  him  to  the  noble 
effort  of  saving  another  individual  from  destruction, 
but  upon  a  re-investigation  of  the  facts  in  the  case, 
he  declined  to  interfere;  fully  convinced,  that  to 
mingle  justice  with  mercy,  and  to  preserve  a  human 
being  from  death,  without  violating  those  precautions 
which  a^-e  necessary  for  the  welfare  of  human  society, 
is  indeed  an  important  trust — a  responsible  power, 
which  ought  to  be  exercised  with  great  caution,  and 
with  a  humble  reliance  upon  the  special  guidance  of 
Divine  Providence. 

May  17th,  Lord's  day,  Mr.  S.  says: — "  Morning, 
preached  in  the  City-Hospital.  Rode  to  Bellevue, 
preached  twice  in  the  chapel,  and  once  in  the  Peni- 
tentiary. After  which,  attended  several  sick  persons, 
and  prayed  with  them.  Yesterday  the  female  pris- 
oners were  removed  from  the  Greenwich  prison  to 
this  place,  in  a  steam-boat.  On  the  passage,  one  of 
the  women  jumped  overboard  and  was  drowned." 

In  the  month  of  August,  Mr.  S.  received  from  the 
faculty  of  Union  College,  in  this  state,  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity.  An  honour  which  he  eminently 
merited. 

Wednesday,  September  30th,  Dr.  S.  remarks: — 
"  Rode  to  the  building  erected  for  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  institution,  to  assist  in  its  dedication."  This 
event  must  have  been  peculiarly  gratifying  to  his 
feelings,  from  the  fact  that  he  was  permitted,  through 
the  medium  of  the  press,  and  by  various  other  means, 


292         ORIGIN  OF  THE  INSTITUTION  FOR  THE 

to  call  the  attention  of  the  public  to  the  subject,  more 
than  ten  years  ])rior  to  the  commencement  of  this 
institution.  To  prove  that  Dr.  Stanford's  progress 
in  the  walks  of  phiUmthropy  was  untiring,  enough 
has  been  recorded  upon  the  preceding  pages;  but 
it  is  due  no  less  to  this  community,  than  to  the  me- 
mory of  our  departed  friend,  once  more  to  present 
iiim  in  a  light,  as  honourable  to  his  own  reputation 
as  it  is  gratifying  to  his  friends,  and  has  proved  emi- 
nently beneficial  to  a  highly  interesting  class  of  suf- 
ferers, who  are  entitled  to  universal  commiseration. 

As  early  as  1807,  the  sympathy  of  Dr.  Stanford 
was  excited  by  the  deplorable  condition  of  several 
deaf  mutes,  whom  poverty  and  friendless  destitution 
had  brought  into  the  New- York  Aims-House.  Deeply 
impressed  with  a  sense  of  their  wretchedness,  he  lost 
no  time  in  devising  and  executing  a  plan  for  their 
amelioration.  His  first  step  was,  to  form  them  into 
a  class,  and  having  procured  the  requisite  number  of 
slates,  and  obtained  the  aid  of  an  assistant,  he  began, 
by  teaching  them  to  write,  and  soon  enjoyed  the  satis- 
faction of  witnessing,  in  their  evident  improvement, 
the  entire  success  of  his  benevolent  plan.  This  was 
probably  the  first  institution  in  America,  which  exem- 
plified the  appropriate  motto  of  his  learned  friend. 
Dr.  Samuel  L.  Mitchill,  '•Vicaria  Manus  Lingiue' — 
The  hand  a  substitute  for  the  tons-ue.  Owins:  to 
the  changes  which  occurred  in  the  Aims-House,  this 
early  school  for  the  deaf  and  dumb,  was,  after  a  time, 
necessarily  discontinued ;  but  the  object  was  not  aban- 
doned. When,  in  1816,  William  Lee,  Esq.  formerly 
the  American  consul  at  Bordeaux,  returned  to  this 
city,  and  laid  before  Dr.  Mitchill,  Dr.  Stanford,  and 
other  gentlemen,  the  circular  letter  from  Mr.  Gard, 
the  teacher  of  deaf  mutes  in  Bordeaux,  it  was  the 
opinion  of  all  present,  that  a  select  meeting  of  gentle- 
men ought  to  be  immediately  called,  to  discuss  the 
subject,  and  consider  the  propriety  of  adopting  mea 


I 


INSTRUCTION  OF  DEAF  MUTES  IN  NEW-YORK.  293 

siires  with  a  view  to  the  establishment  of  an  institution 
upon  a  liberal  and  extended  basis,  for  the  instruction 
of  the  numerous  deaf  and  dumb  throughout  the  State 
of  New- York.  In  compliment  to  the  early  enterprise 
of  Dr.  S.  as  the  first  person  in  this  community  who 
had  engaged  in  this  benevolent  work,  it  was  proposed 
that  the  first  public  meeting  should  be  convened  at 
his  house.  The  following  gentlemen  were  present, 
viz.— Dr.  S.  L.  Mitchill,  Dr.  Samuel  Ackerly,  Mr. 
Nicholas  Roome,  Mr.  R.  Wheaton,  Mr.  James  Pal- 
mer, Mr.  Silvanus  Miller,  General  Jonas  Mapes,  Mr. 
Elisha  W.  King,  Mr.  John  B.  Scott,  Rev.  Drs. 
Stanford  and  M'Leod.  After  a  full  discussion  of  the 
important  object  of  the  meeting,  they  adjourned,  to 
meet  at  a  future  day  in  Tammany-Hall.  This  was 
succeeded  by  other  meetings,  the  doings  of  which  re- 
sulted in  the  formation  of  the  present  noble  institution ; 
which  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  legislature, 
on  the  15th  of  April,  1817,  and  has  furnished  accom- 
modations for  hundreds  of  unfortunate  beings,  who, 
but  for  the  instruction  which  they  there  received, 
would  have  gone  down  to  the  grave,  ignorant,  not 
only  of  the  benefits  of  science,  but  of  the  blessino-s  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ. 

"  Birth-day  Memorial,  on  entering  my  76th  year, 
October  20th,  1829. 

"  To  record  the  goodness,  forbearance,  and  mercy 
of  the  Lord,  is  a  service  due  alike  to  Christian  prin- 
ciple and  to  gratitude.  To  those  who  consider  the 
ways  of  Providence,  and  realize  the  blessing  of  grace, 
there  are  no  days  that  do  not  lay  us  under  obligations 
to  express  our  thanksgivings  to  the  Lord  our  God. 
But  what  obligations  am  I  under  this  day,  for  his  in- 
numerable mercies ;  and  the  long-suflfering  of  my  God 
to  me,  in  sparing  me  amidst  so  many  evils  and  infir- 
mities.  On  my  last  birth-day,  when  I  wrote  the 
memorial  of  my  preservation,  and  all  the  goodness 
which  the  Lord  had  bestowed  upon  me  j  the  infirmities 

25* 


294        LETTER  FROM  HON.  PHILIP  HONE,  ESQ. 

of  my  person  were  so  many  and  oppressive,  that  in- 
stead of  expecting  to  survive  until  the  present  hour,  I 
expected  to  be  numbered  with  the  dead.  When, 
therefore,  I  review  the  events  of  the  past  year,  the 
continuation  of  my  pubHc  services,  the  numerous  evils 
of  my  heart,  and  the  abundant  patience  of  God  in 
liolding  me  in  hfe  to  this  day;  I  am  lost  in  admira- 
tion, and  devoutly  wish  that  my  heart  were  filled  with 
love,  and  gratitude,  and  praise. 

*'  My  chief  anxiety  now  is,  to  subdue  the  body  of 
sin,  which  wars  against  my  peace  and  comfort ;  so 
that,  whether  I  shall  be  called  suddenly,  or  be  per- 
mitted to  lie  on  the  bed  of  lingering  infirmity  and 
sickness,  that  I  may  leave  some  humble  testimony  of 
the  Lord's  goodness,  forbearance,  and  tender  mercy, 
to  me,  the  chief  of  sinners." 

The  following  is  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  Philip 
Hone,  Esq.  late  Mayor  of  New-York,  to  the  Rev. 
John  Stanford,  D.  D. 

''  Monday,  May  Sd,  1830. 

**  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

**  1  should  have  replied  sooner  to  your  letter  of  30th 
of  April,  but  intended  to  call  at  your  house.  In  this  I 
have  been  prevented  by  iiumerous  engagements.  It 
does  appear  to  me,  my  excellent  friend,  that  your  age 
and  infirmity  demands  that  you  should  relinquish  your 
duties  at  the  Aims-House,  except  so  much  of  them  as 
your  inclination  may  still  induce  you  to  perform.  If 
any  man  in  our  community  is  entitled  to  the  ease  and  " 
comfort  which  should  accompany  old  age,  you  cer- 
tainly are,  for  7io  man  has  devoted  a  larger  proportion 
of  his  life  and  services  to  the  good  of  his  suffering  and 
unfortunate  fellow-creatures.  Your  power  to  serve 
them,  in  a  limited  degree,  still,  I  trust,  remains; 
and  your  benevolent  disposition  will  not  suffer  you  to 
f^emain  idle,  as  long  as  you  have  the  ability  to  do  good. 


THE  AGED  christian's  CABINET.  295 

Continue  then  at  the  Hospital,  but  relinquish  the 
Aims-House  and  Penitentiary.  You  have  never  ac- 
quainted me  with  the  state  of  your  pecuniary  affairs; 
but  I  hope  they  are  such,  that  the  sacrifice  of  the 
small  pittance  which  you  have  heretofore  received 
from  that  quarter,  will  not  occasion  you  inconvenience; 
and  I  trust  our  corporation  will  not  forget  the  services 
you  have  so  long  rendered  them. 

"  Amidst  the  cares  and  vexations  of  life,  of  which 
1  have  some,  but  happily  not  an  over-proj)ortion,  it 
is  a  source  of  pride  and  consolation,  that  1  am 
allowed  to  flatter  myself  that  I  enjoy  the  friendshi[) 
and  good  opinion  of  my  venerable  friend,  and  early 
preceptor. 

*'  My  wife  and  children  are  well,  and  very  thankful 
for  your  kind  remembrance  of  them.  I  intend  to  call 
and  see  you  very  soon. 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  PHILIP  HONE. " 

On  entering  his  77th  year,  Dr.  S.  remarks : — 
*'  Looking  into  my  diary,  it  seconds  the  record  in  my 
own  conscience,  of  nunjberless  imperfections,  and  the 
host  of  evils  which  lodge  within  my  heart.  Worn 
down  by  age  and  infirmities,  I  have  sensibly  realized 
a  painful  languor  throughout  my  system.  And  yet,  in 
this  declining  state,  I  have  not  only  been  assisted  to 
perform  my  usual  services  in  the  public  institutions, 
and  to  make  a  free  use  of  my  pen;  but  have  been 
called  to  perform  several  extra  public  duties.  Never- 
theless, the  conflicts  of  my  mind  and  heart,  during  the 
past  year,  have  been  very  great,  so  that  I  am  under 
the  greatest  possible  obligation  to  adore  and  praise 
the  Lord  for  his  forbearance,  long-sufiering,  and  mercy 
to  me,  the  most  unworthy  of  ail  his  servants.  1  must 
add,  that  for  several  months,  I  have  been  also  em- 
ployed in  superintending  the  printing  of  my  *  Aged 
Christian's  Cabinet,'  the  last  half  sheet  of  which,  wat 


296       THE  EVERLASTING  SABBATISM. 

delivered  to  me  from  the  press,  on  the  very  day  when 
I  was  taken  ill.     '  The  icill  of  the  Lord  be  done,'  " 

This  is  a  handsome  octavo,  of  450  pages,  con- 
taining a  series  of  most  useful,  and  well  written 
essays,  calculated  to  promote  the  moral  benefit,  and 
consolation  of  the  class  of  persons  to  whom  they  are 
addressed.  The  work  is  written  in  a  pleasing  and 
familiar  style.  The  chief  design  of  the  writer,  to  pro- 
mote devotional  feelings,  and  to  sooth  the  asperities  in- 
cident to  advanced  age,  is  well  preserved  throughout 
the  volume ;  and  it  is  truly  gratifying  to  contemplate 
that  glowing  piety,  blended  with  sound  instruction, 
w  hich  pervades  the  whole.  The  work  may  be  confi- 
dently recommended  to  the  perusal  of  the  aged  disci- 
ple, as  ejninently  conducive  to  elevate  and  to  establish 
his  Christian  character,  and  powerfully  to  co-operate 
in  preparing  him  for  the  solemnity  of  death,  and  the 
immortal  bliss  of  the  upper  temple. 

Lord's  day,  November  5th,  Dr.  S.  remarks: — "  I 
earnestly  prayed  that  I  might  be  permitted  to  spend 
this  Sabbath  in  hope  of  one  that  never  shall  end.  The 
Lord  has  heard  and  answered  my  petition." 


CHAPTER  XVil. 

DR.  STANFORD  CONFINED  TO  HIS  CHAMBER,  BUT  CONTIMIES 
TO  LABOUU  FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  THE  PUi'.I.lC  INSTITU- 
TIONS  UNDER  His   CARE ANOTHER  NEW  TRACT LETTERS 

TO     MRS.     WETMORE MEMORIAL — AAOTilLR     TRACT,      ON 

MORNING  AND  EVENING  DEVOTION. 

/ 

Saturday,  February  5th,  1831.  Dr.  Stanford  says  : 
"  In  the  afternoon  felt  happy  in  having  been  enabled 
to  finish  my  account  of  the  Public  Institutions,  and 
hope  it  may  be  useful." 

His  "  Annual  Reports"  to  tlie  Honourable  the 
Mayor  and  Common  Council  of  the  city  of  New- 
York,  were  ahvays  regarded  with  interest,  as  docu- 
ments of  great  public  utility,  and  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

In  approaching  the  termination  of  this  memoir,  it 
has  become  necessary  to  omit  many  things,  the  re- 
cord of  which,  would,  under  other  circumstances,  be  a 
duty;  but  to  preserve  the  limits  originally  prescribed, 
we  shall  be  restricted  almost  entirely  to  the  gleaning 
of  a  few  brief  excerpts  from  his  diar}^  which  portray 
his  history  at  remote  intervals,  up  to  the  period  when 
he  closed  his  useful  life,  and  took  wing  for  the  regions 
of  glory. 

Tuesday,  March  29th,  he  remarks: — "  Finished  a 
paper  containing  thirteen  pages,  on  Hiding  the  JVord 
of  God  within  the  Heart.  May  it  prove  a  blessing  to 
all  who  read  it." 

During  the  present  and  two  succeeding  years.  Dr. 
Stanford  addressed  several  interesting  letters  to  his 
excellent  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wetmore,  from  which 


298  LETTER  TO  MRS.  WETMORE. 

selections  will  be  given  in  the  order  of  their  respective 
dates.     The  following  was  written, 

''June  2lst,  1631. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  This  morning  I  told  Thomas  that  I  would  make 
an  effort  to  write  you  a  few  lines  in  the  course  of  the 
day,  should  my  pains  and  debility  permit.  For,  as  it 
is  to  be  expected,  every  week  evinces  that  my  flesh  is 
sinking  to  the  dust.  But  I  constantly  commit  the 
progress,  fast  or  slow,  to  the  good  will  and  pleasure 
of  my  heavenly  Father. 

"  As  T  am  almost  incapable  of  performing  any  pub- 
lic service,  and  can  seldom  venture  to  walk  out,  per- 
haps you  may  wish  to  be  informed  how  I  employ  my 
hours  in  seclusion.  I  am  daily  engaged,  more  or  less, 
in  looking  over  the  book  of  my  life,  which  contains 
many  hundred  pages,  and  is  divided  into  seventy-eight 
chapters.  It  contains  the  record  of  many  events 
which  are  calculated  to  humble  me  before  the  Lord ; 
yet  how  great  has  been  the  patience,  mercy,  and  good- 
ness of  my  God,  in  permitting  this  volume  to  become 
so  large !  The  book  of  my  experience  I  also  daily 
look  over,  but  it  is  very  small ;  some  of  its  leaves  are 
spotted,  ragged,  and  torn,  so  that  it  frequently  puzzles 
me  to  read  it ;  yet  I  find  written  at  the  end  of  almost 
every  chapter,  '  Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  me.^ 
But  what  may  be  the  contents  of  the  last  chapter,  I 
must  leave  for  others  to  read.  Only  I  hope  the  Lord 
will  not  forsake  me.  What  engages  me  most,  is  the 
book  of  God — my  Bible.  This  is  my  most  valuable 
companion,  and  from  it  1  derive  knowledge,  comfort, 
and  strength ;  although  I  must  confess  that  I  am  a 
poor  scholar,  and  know  comparatively  little,  and  feel 
less  of  its  rich  and  valuable  contents  tlian  I  wish  to 
enjoy,  and  should  have  nothing  unless  the  Spirit  of 
my  heavenly  Saviour  had  taught  me. 

^'  However,  wherein  I  have  been  deficient  in  the 


PRAYER  FOR  THE  LIGHT  OF  LIFE.  299 

proper  use  of  such  books,  may  it  please  the  Lord  to 
cause  you,  and  your's,  more  fully  to  abound. 

*'  Your's  truly, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD.  " 

*'  Lord's  day,  22d.  The  Lord  having  graciously 
been  pleased  that  I  should  behold  the  light  of  another 
Sabbath,  I  was  encouraged  to  look  to  his  throne  for 
his  blessing  on  my  private  exercises  in  prayer,  read- 
ing, and  meditation.  But  in  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing my  mind  became  depressed.  My  dark  days  will 
soon  terminate.  O  Lord,  grant  me  the  light  of 
life!" 

On  entering  his  78th  year.  Dr.  S.  remarks: — 
"  Preserved  by  my  good  and  gracious  Lord,  to  see 
the  close  of  another  year,  I  shall  note  some  of  the 
events  which  demand  my  sincere  gratitude  and  praise. 

"  My  health  has  continued  in  a  fluctuating  state, 
and  consequently  my  public  services,  as  must  be  ex- 
j)ected,  are  performed  under  painful  circumstances. 
As  to  the  use  of  my  pen,  this  has  made  a  part  of  my 
private  exercise  ;  when  capable  of  occupying  my  chair, 
I  have  answered  many  of  my  distant  correspondents; 
occasionally  written  on  subjects  in  relation  to  the 
Corporation  and  the  public  interest,  and  a  number  of 
theological  essays,  &:c.  so  that  my  private  hours  were 
not  altogetlier  unemployed.  But  my  chief  comfort  has 
been  in  reading  my  Bible. 

"  Although  I  still  continue  under  great  infirmity, 
and  so  much  pain  as  to  prevent  me  from  public  duties, 
I  hope  I  am  submissive  to  the  will  of  my  Lord.  The 
(late  of  my  age  this  day  sufficiently  admonishes  me 
that  the  time  of  my  departure  from  this  world  is  at 
hand.  But  blessed  be  God,  '  /  hnoic  who7?i  I  have 
believed,  and  am  persuaded  that  he  is  able  to  heep  that 
which  I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day,'' 
when  time  with  me  shall  be  no  longer.  Still,  I  pray 
for  more  light  from  above.     Alas !  this  '  body  of  sin 


-300      Tin:  uta^voud  library  at  bellevue. 

and  dcat!i  is  more  doprcssinor  to  my  soul  limn  all  the 
bodily  pains  which  I  endure.  O  how  thankfid  I  am 
that  the  Lord  liath  promised  ;  '//  shall  come  to  pass  that 
at  evening!:  time  it  shall  he  lifjrht.^ 

"  Wednesday,  26th.  Dependini^  on  the  help  of 
the  Lord,  I  ventured  to  ride  to  Bellevue,  in  the  hope 
of  being  able  to  establish  a  library  for  the  benefit  of 
tlic  poor." 

The  reader  has  no  doubt,  ere  this,  perceived  that 
the  efforts  of  Dr.  Stanford  to  benefit  the  souls  com- 
mitted to  his  care,  were  not  limited  to  the  mere 
routine  of  what  might  strictly  be  considered  as  in- 
volved in  the  duties  of  his  chaplaincy;  but,  that  he 
endeavoured,  by  every  means  in  his  power,  to  promote 
their  happiness  and  moral  improvement.  This  will 
become  still  further  evident,  bv  the  foUowino:  extract 
from  his  address  to  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of 
the  City  Aims-House. 

"  GErsTLEMEN, 

"  It  has  for  many  years  past  been  my  earnest  wish, 
that  an  efibrt  might  be  made  to  form  a  library  for 
the  particular  benefit  of  the  poor  in  the  City  Alms- 
1  louse,  as  a  means  under  God  of  promoting  their 
comfort. and  improvement, 

"  The  following  method  has  suggested  itself  to  my 
mirid,  as  a  measure  by  which  the  object  might  gradu- 
ally be  attained,  without  expense  to  the  board  ;  I 
therefore  beg  leave  to  offer  the  following  sugges- 
tions." 

Here  follow  niany  judicious  and  practical  remarks. 
He  then  goes  on  to  say  : — '^  With  the  above  sugges- 
tions, and  the  outline  of  a  plan  for  the  proper  arrange- 
ment and  regulation  of  the  library  when  formed, 
allow  me  to  request  the  favour  of  your  acceptance  of] 
six  copies  of  ray  '  Aged  Christian's  Cabinet,'  for  the 
use  of  the  aged  under  your  charge  in  this  house,  in 
the  hope  that  the  Lord  may  make  them  the  means  of; 


TRACT  ON  xMORNIXG  AND  EVENING  DEVOTION.    301 

contributing  to  their  instruction  and  comfort;  and  by 
so  doing-,  you  will  exceedingly  gratify, 

"  Your  old  chaplain  and  sincere  friend, 

"JOHN  STANFORD. 
'^  September  mth,  1831." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  Bellevue  Es- 
tablishment, on  Friday  evening,  the  8th  of  December, 
1831; 

"  Moved,  and  seconded.  That  the  code  of  laws 
proposed  by  Dr.  Stanford  be  adopted.     Carried. 

"  Moved,  and  seconded.  That  a  library  committee 
he  appointed  by  the  chair.  Carried.  When  the  Rev. 
11.  Tappin,  Dr.  1.  Wood,  J.  Cox,  G.  W.  Taylor,  and 
E.  M.  Guion,  were  named,  and  approved  of. 

"  Moved,  and  seconded.  That  this  meeting,  as  or- 
ganized, be  called  the  '  Stanford  Library  Association 
of  Bellevue,'  and  that  Jameson  Cox  be  president  of 
this  Association,  and  E.  M.  Guion,  secretary.  Carried. 

"  E.  M.  GUION,  Secretary:' 

July  3d,  1832,  Dr.  Stanford  remarks:-^—'*  It  pleased 
the  Lord  to  enable  me  to  finish  a  little  tract  on  morn- 
ing and  evening  devotion,  for  which  I  am  thankful. 
May  I  still  be  assisted  to  bring  forth  fruit  in  my  old 
age,  to  the  praise  of  God,  and  the  benefit  of  my 
fellow-creatures." 

Several  thousand  copies  of  this  valuable  pamphlet, 
were  printed  at  his  own  expense,  for  gratuitous  distri- 
bution. We  regret  that  the  want  of  room  will  not 
permit  its  insertion  in  the  present  volume. 

From  Dr.  Stanford  to  Mrs.  Wetmore* 

"  July  21st,  1832* 

•'  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  In  this  solemn  time  of  public  calamity,  when 
pestilence  walketh  in  darkness,  it  is  well  for  friends 

26 


302  LETTER  TO  MRS.  WET3iORE. 

to  inquire,  and  receive  information  from  each  other  of 
their  welfare;  and  therefore,  this  paper  messenger 
will  ask,  How  is  it  with  you  and  5^our's?  and  how  is 
it  in  the  hospital  ?  David  tells  us,  Psalm  ix.  IC,  that 
'  The  Lord  is  knoicn  by  the  judgment  uhich  he  executeth.' 
And  it  is  my  prayer,  that  the  inhabitants  of  this  city, 
may  see  the  hand  that  smiteth  them,  and  that  we  may 
turn  unto  the  Lord  in  penitence  and  reformation,  and 
be  a  people  to  his  praise.  But,  of  this  1  am  certain, 
if  the  Lord  should  not  accompany  his  present  judg- 
ment with  his  Spirit  and  gospel,  to  teach  and  humble 
US,  we  shall  still  be  left  in  ignorance  and  stupidity, 
and  it  will  be  written  of  us,  '  The  people  turneth  not 
unto  him  that  smiteth  them,  neither  do  tliey  seek  the  Lord 
of  Hbs/^'—Isaiah  ix.  13.  Strong  reasons  these  why 
we  should  be  found  in  prayer  at  the  throne  of  mercy. 

'*  Most  of  my  friends  believe  that  I  have  pretty 
iiearly  got  to  the  head-waters  of  the  river  of  old  age, 
which  may  be  said  to  be  seventy-eight  miles  long. 
But  I  consider  myself  as  lying  at  anchor  in  the  bay  of 
mortality,  waiting  for  the  pilot  to  take  me  into  the 
port  of  peace.  On  Wednesday  last  1  met  with  a 
severe  storm,  the  effects  of  which  1  still  feel.  It 
shattered  me  exceedingly.  Towards  evening  of  the 
same  day,  the  sentiment  of  David  was  made  my  own  : 
^^^ Behold,  here  am  /,  let  the  Lord  do  with  me  ichat 
seemeth  him  goodJ*  This  greatly  composed  my  mind 
then,  and  continues  to  do  so  now. 

"  That  the  Lord  may  be  your  preserver,  and  finally 
grant  you  and  your's  an  entrance  into  his  everlasting 
kingdom,  through  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  is  the  sin- 
cere prayer  of 

"  Your's  truly, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD. 

On  Friday,  July  27th,  Dr.  Stanford  wrote  on  a 
scrap  of  paper,  found  in  his  desk,  ^'  I  wish  to  live 

AS    A    SAINT,    AND    TO    DIE    AS    A    SENSIBLE    SINNER, 


THE  EBENEZER.  303 

LOOKING     FOR    THE     MERCY     OF     OUR    LORD     JESU8 
CHRIST,     U.XTO     ETERNAL     LIFE.       J.    S.       Jill}'     27thj 

1832." 

Lord's  day,  Sej3tember  2d,  Dr.  S.  remarks : — 
"  Mercifully  assisted  to  perform  my  private  exercises 
of  devotion,  and  in  readino;  two  or  three  of  my  own 
sermons  in  the  'Domestic  Chaplain,'  particuhirly  the 
sermon  on  '  Christ,  the  Alpha  and  Omega' — my  faith 
was  strengthened.  Thus  1  may  say,  the  Lord  has  fed 
me  out  of  my  own  spoon.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for 
all  his  mercies  to  me,  who  am  so  unworthy." 

On  entering  into  his  79th  year.  Dr.  Stanford  re- 
marks: — "  The  longer  the  journey  of  our  life  is,  the 
greater  are  the  dangers  of  the  way.  The  more 
abundant  our  mercies,  the  greater  is  the  obligation  to 
erect  a  memorial,  and  to  acknowledge,  that  '  hitherto 
the  Lord  hath  helpecV  lis.  If  any  individual  or  minis- 
ter be  under  obligation  to  erect  an  ebenezer,  com> 
memorative  of  the  care  and  goodness  of  the  Lord, 
in  the  course  of  a  long  life,  it  certainly  is  a  duty  de- 
volving upon  me  this  day.  Help  me,  O  Lord,  grate- 
fully to  acknowledge  thy  merciful  kindness,  in  sparing 
me  so  long.  Especially  do  I  feel  thankful  while  I 
remember  many  of  my  ministering  brethren,  and 
many  of  the  companions  of  my  youth,  who  have 
passed  away  to  the  shades  of  death,  while  I  am 
spared,  as  a  monument  of  the  preserving  mercy  of 
my  good  and  gracious  God. 

"  From  the  nature  of  my  complicated  complaints, 
and  the  great  advance  of  my  age,  there  is  every  rea- 
son to  believe  that  my  public  labours  in  the  ministry 
of  the  gospel,  will  not  be  resumed.  Often  do  T  look 
back  on  the  scenes  of  my  life,  and  particularly  those 
of  the  last  twenty  years,  when  my  labours  have  been 
more  abundant  than  in  the  days  of  youthful  vigour. 
Deeply  do  I  lament  iny  numberless  defects,  and  adore 
the  patience  and  long-sufFeriiig  of  the  Lord,  in  per- 
initting  so  unworthy  a  servant  to  continue  in  his  vine* 


304  BIGOTRY  DISCLAIMED. 

yard  more  than  half  a  century.  If  I  have  been  useful 
to  an  individual,  a  church,  an  institution,  or  to  the 
])ublic,  whether  by  jireaching,  or  by  writing,  or  any 
other  way,  I  attribute  the  whole  to  the  influence  and 
good  pleasure  of  my  God. 

"  Some  in  the  course  of  their  njinistrv  have  had 
occasion  to  alter  their  opinion  in  regard  to  the  more 
important  doctrines  Vvhich  they  have  preached,  and 
the  ordinances  which  they  have  administered  ;  but  it 
lias  not  been  so  witii  me.  I  cannot  therefore  but 
record  my  gratitude  to  the  Lord,  for  having  taught 
me  the  principal  truths  of  his  everlasting  gospel  in  my 
early  experience,  so  that  although  the  lines  of  my 
instruction  were  comparatively  faint,  yet  the  truth 
was  precious,  and  upon  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  founda- 
tion and  only  hope  of  the  guilty,  have  1  been  building 
ever  since  I  first  professed  to  know  the  truth  ;  nor 
have  I  this  day  any  doubt  of  its  correctness.  It 
affords  me  pleasure  to  reflect,  tliat  1  have  ever  been 
open  to  conviction.  I  never  was  a  bigot ;  but  sensible 
of  the  deceitfulness  of  my  own  heart,  1  have  always 
been  willing  to  receive  the  truth  of  God,  wherever  I 
have  found  it ;  and  that  truth  will,  I  trust,  supi)ort 
and  cheer  me  to  the  end. 

"  Man  is  perpetually  living  in  anticijiation  of  some 
future  good.  This  is  peculiarly  true  in  reference  to 
those  who  have,  by  the  Spirit  of  grace,  been  made 
nigh  unto  God  through  Christ  Jesus.  Such  are  em- 
phatically expectants  ;  having  the  '  promise  of  the  life 
that  now  is,  and  of  that  ichich  is  to  come.''  Blessed  are 
all  those  who  can  say  with  David,  ^All  my  expectation 
is  from  him'' — Psalm  Ixii.  5. 

*'  Whatever  I  may  need  to  supply  the  wants  of  my 
body,  or  whatever  faith,  and  patience,  and  strength, 
I  may  require  for  the  soul;  for  all  these  I  look  to  the 
Saviour,  and  say,  '  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd,  I  shall 
not  ivant.^  I  desire  to  render  praise  unto  God,  that 
in  conversation,  in  preaching,  and  in  writing,  I  have 


HIS  LAST  ANNUAL  CENSUS.  305 

frequently  been  assisted  to  .contemplate  and  to  de- 
scribe the  sublime  realities  of  religion,  and  the  joys 
of  that  heaven  to  which  the  Christian  is  tending. 
Nevertheless,  during  the  course  of  this  year,  I  have 
had  occasion  to  deplore  a  mental  gloom,  which 
has  often  clouded  my  spiritual  vision,  and  inter- 
rupted, though,  blessed  be  God,  it  has  not  entirely 
prevented,  the  joys  which  flow  from  faith  in  the 
Redeemer.  This  has,  I  hope,  tended  to  humble 
me ;  but  I  do  not  yield  to  despair,  since  *  The 
Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation.''  When  the  Isra- 
elites were  near  the  end  of  their  journey,  and  about 
to  enter  into  Canaan,  they  had  no  idea  how  the  waters 
of  Jordan  would  divide  and  permit  them  to  pass,  until 
they  had  actually  arrived  on  its  bank;  so  I  hope  it 
will  be  with  me,  when  I  pass  the  stream  of  death. 
Then  may  I  not  only  see  the  cold  waters  divide,  and 
Jesus,  the  true  ark,  resting  in  the  midst,  but  behold, 
by  faith,  the  Canaan  of  everlasting  rest,  and  so  enter 
for  ever  into  the  joy  of  my  Lord!  If  I  can  say  nothing 
else,  [  can  truly  say  with  David,  *  This  God  is  our 
God,  for  ever  and  ever,  and  he  shall  he  my  guide,  even 
unto  death'' — Pt?alm  xlviii.  14.  Upon  this  rock  would 
I  rest.  I  will  hope  and  wait  patiently  for  the  time, 
and  leave  the  means,  the  manner,  and  all  other 
circumstances  in  relation  to  my  final  departure,  in 
the  hands  of  God,  my  heavenly  Father,  and  blessed 
Saviour.     Even  so,  Amen. 

"  JOHN  STANFORD." 

January  7th  and  8th,  1833.  "  These  days,"  says 
Dr.  S.  "  have  been  chiefly  employed  in  finishing  my 
annual  census  for  the  press.  This  is  my  last  public 
work,  which  I  little  thought  I  should  have  been  spared 
to  accomplish.  Now  I  wish  and  pray  to  be  more 
devoted  in  spiritual  exercises  to  the  Lord  my  God 
and  Saviour,  that  I  may  be  ready  for  my  final  change. 
Earth  binds  me  not.     Come  Lord  Jesus  !" 

26* 


306  TIC  DOULOUREUX. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  written 
by  the  Hon.  Gideon  Lee. 

**  DEAR  AND  REV.  SIR, 

"  I  beg  leave  to  express  my  gratitude  to  you  for 
the  book  you  were  pleased  to  send  me,  but  more 
especially  for  the  kind  wishes  and  pious  benedictions 
which  accompanied  it.  1  thank  you,  Sir,  as  a  citizen, 
also  as  a  magistrate,  for  the  long,  arduous,  and 
pious  service  which  you  have  been  able  and  willing 
to  perform  to  an  unfortunate  class  of  our  fellow 
beings,  and  I  pray  that  a  good  Providence  may  still 
spare  your  life  through  years  of  usefulness  and  en-  j 
joyraent. 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir, 

"  With  great  respect, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  GIDEON  LEE. 
''Mayor's  Office,  January  2m,  1833." 

"  February  28th.  This,"  says  Dr.  S.  "  ends  an- 
other month,  and  demands  my  thankfulness  to  the 
Lord  for  his  forbearance,  and  ihe  unnumbered  in- 
stances of  his  kindness  through  Jesus  Christ.  The 
new  complaint  (tic  douloureux,)  which  commenced  in 
my  right  cheek  last  Lord's  day  morning,  has  much 
increased  my  sufferings.  Well,  the  heavenly  builder 
of  this  my  earthly  tabernacle,  has  been  pleased,  for 
about  three  years  past,  to  take  out  many  of  its  pins  ; 
the  new  disease  may  indicate  that  he  is  taking  out 
some  q{  the  screics,  which  is  a  more  painful  operation. 
But  he  who  built  the  tabernacle,  and  has  preserved 
it  in  the  wilderness  of  this  world  for  nearly  fourscore 
years,  knows  best  when  and  how  to  take  it  down. 
To  his  wisdom  and  mercy  I  hope  to  be  enabled  to 
submit  myself. 

"April  1st.  My  only  wish  is,  that  he  will  continue 
to  visit  me  with    his    salvation,    and  that  in   every 


THE  DOiMESTIC  CHAPLAIN.  307 

breath  I  draw  I  may  glorify  his  name,  whether  I  live 
to  see  tlie  end  of  this  month  or  not. 

"  June  7th.  Still  employed  in  writing  for  my  fa- 
mily and  friends.  Afternoon  visited  by  several  friends. 
Among-  others,  a  lady  who  had  returned  from  the 
West-Indies,  and  who,  among  other  things,  informed 
me  that  she  had  given  one  of  my  'Guide  to  Devotion,' 
to  a  pious  lady  of  wealth,  who  had  been  confined  to 
her  bed  for  some  years.  She  found  my  little  tract 
so  salutary  to  her  own  heart,  that  she  made  it  a  rule 
to  require  her  domestics  to  attend  her,  morning  and 
evening  in  her  chamber,  where  the  tract  is  used  as  a 
guide  iu  their  devotional  exercises.  I  make  this  note 
as  an  expression  of  my  gratitude  to  God  for  his  good- 
ness, in  making  my  efforts  useful  in  a  distant  clime. 

"  July  31st.  This  day  received  a  copy  of  a  new 
edition  of  my  '  Domestic  Chaplain,'  re-published  in 
London.  May  the  Lord  bless  it  to  the  benefit  of  the 
reader,  and  the  glory  of  his  own  grace.  This  makes 
the  fourth  edition.* 

"  October  20th,  Lord's  day.  This  morning's  light 
was  accompanied  uith  j)ecu]iar  scirsations,  as  it 
ushered  ia  my  eightieth  birth  day.  A  thousand 
thoughts  rushed  into  uiy  mind,  and  I  was  over- 
whehned  with  a  sense  of  the  sparing  mercy  of  God, 
and  could  not  but  (exclaim  with  the  Psalmist — '  Bless 
the  Lord^  O  my  soul:  and  all  thai  is  ivithin  ine,  Mess 
his  holy  ?iame,^  &c.  Psalm  ciii.  If  I  found  my  seven- 
tieth year  ^  lahovr,^  no  wonder  if  at  eighty  I  find  it  to 
be  ^  sorroiv.^  This  is  the  highest  number  of  years  in 
the  computation  of  human  life,  beyond  it  all  is  vacancy  ; 
and  it  is  said  to  be  '  soon  cut  off,  and  we  fly  away,' 
Lord  grant  me  grace  to  fly  to  the  Saviour's  arms,  to 
be  at  rest  and  free  from  sin." 


*  To  the  venerable  author  of  this  useful  work,  it  must  have  afforded 
jsreat  satisfaction  to  reflect,  that  about  ten  thousand  copies  have  been 
|)ublished  in  Europe  and  America. 


308  HIS  LAST  LETTER  TO  MRS.  WETMORE. 

Dr.  Stanford's  last  letter  to  his  pious  friend,  Mrs. 
Wetmore,  dated 

"  October  2m,  1833. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  Time  is  invaluable  to  man  not  only  for  its  pre- 
sent use,  but  because  it  bears  us  on  its  wings  to  a 
solemn  and  inconceival)le  eternity.  A  sense  of  this 
led  Moses^,  David,  and  thousands  of  others,  to  the 
throne  of  the  Most  High  God  with  this  petition — ^So 
teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  ice  may  apply  our 
hearts  tmto  ivisdom^ — Psalm  xc.  12.  Happy  shall  you 
and  I  be,  if  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  teach  us  such 
lessons,  for  we  shall  then  be  enabled  to  make  a  more 
profitable  use  of  the  little  time  which  may  be  allotted 
us  upon  earth.  Of  this  I  was  the  more  sensible  last 
Lord's  day,  the  20th,  when,  by  the  sparing  hand  of 
my  merciful  God,  I  was  permitted  to  enter  into  the 
eightieth  year  of  my  age.  Then  the  contents  of  this 
psalm  were  to  me  highly  instructive. 

'*  There  I  saw  my  own  age  recorded,  (ver.  10,)  and 
the  description  exactly  corresponds  with  my  own 
feelings.  The  age  of  seventy  is  said  to  be  labour,  and 
so  I  found  it  ;  for  the  powers  of  nature  began  to  fail, 
and  soon  after,  by  infirmity  and  disease,  1  began  to 
find  *  the  grasshopper^  burdensome,  although  I  brushed 
off  the  teazing  animal  as  well  as  I  could.  How  long 
I  have  to  remain,  I  have  no  means  to  calculate;  for 
when  1  was  at  seventy  I  could  read  eighty,  though  I 
little  expected  to  realize  it;  but  now,  there  is  no 
number  beyond  this,  all  that  is  said  is,  whatever  may 
be  the  degree  of  our  strength  that  is  left,  '  it  is  soon 
cut  off,  and  ice  fly  away.''  Happy  indeed  are  those 
who  now  live  by  faith  on  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  for 
when  the  cord  of  life  is  cut,  they  pass  away  to  the 
mansions  of  eternal  rest ;  and  this  is  that  life  I  have 
long  wished  to  live  more  sensibly  and  more  honour* 
ably,  till  I  go  hence,  to  return  no  more. 


DR.  Stanford's  last  tract.  300 

*'  I  must  add,  that  altliougli  I  know  t'ne  statement 
of  Moses  to  he  true,  aiici  i  feel  much  ot"  the  labour 
and  sorrow  of  old  age,  yet  I  am  not  disconsolate,  nor 
(juite  alone;  for  the  Lord  is  rich  in  mercy  and  plen- 
teous in  redemjUion  ;  and  among  many  other  assur- 
ances he  hath  said — ^  Even  to  your  old  ap:c  I  am  he; 
and  even  io  hour  hairs  will  1  carryyou:  I  have  uuidc, 
and  Iivill  hear  ;  even  I  will  carry,  and  ■will  deliver  yon*' 
Isaiah  xivi.  4. 

"  Tliat  this  God  may  be  your  God  in  Christ  Jesus, 
and  the  God  and  Guide  of  your  family  even  unto 
death,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of 

'•  Your's  in  tlie  Lord, 

'•  JOHN  STANFORD." 

*'  December  11th.  I  find  that  n:Uuro  rapidly  fails, 
yet  with  all  my  conflicts  1  thank  the  Lord  that  the 
breathing  of  my  poor  soul  is  still  towards  himself, 
that  he  would  grant  me  preparation  to  meet  my  final 
change.  Amidst  all  my  pains,  I  was  assisted  this 
day  to  write  a  small  tract,  '  "On  waiting  upon  God.' 
1  am  thankful  for  what  may  be  my  last  service." 

January  1st,  1834,  Dr.  Stanford  remarks: — *'  Un- 
der so  many  infirmities,  and  at  so  advanced  an  age, 
little  could  I  have  expected  to  have  been  permitted  to 
see  this  New- Year.  But  it  is  the  Lord's  hand  that  sus- 
tains me,  and  I  hope  to  learn  new  lessons  of  liis  good- 
ness, forbearance,  and  grace  in  Christ  Jesus,  that 
if  I  am  spared  a  little  longer  in  this  vale  of  teais,  I 
may  be  preserved  from  evil,  and  produce  some  fruit 
to  the  honour  of  his  blessed  name,  and  the  good  of  my 
fellow-creatures." 

About  two  o'clock  on  New- Year's  day,  1834,  im- 
mediately in  front  of  Dr.  Stanford's  house  in  Lispen- 
ard-street,  one  hundred  and  fifty  children,  dressed  in 
the  uniform  costume  of  the  New- York  Orphan-Asylum, 
and  under  the  direction  of  their  teachers,  and  Mr. 
Charles  C.  Andrews,  the  superintendent;   formed  a 


310  AN  AFFECTLN'G  SCENE. 

group  of  interesting  .objects,  which  soon  attracted  the 
attention  of  a  iiiukitiideof  dehghted  spectators.  They 
had  come  to  coni^rutidate  their  venerable  friend  and 
father,  on  the  return  of  another  anniversary  of  his  long 
life  ;  and  as  the  tear  of  affection  bedewed  the  eye-lids 
of  some  of  those  hapless  orphans,  they  seemed  to  say, 
while  they  gazed  upon  the  good  old  man  standing  be- 
fore the  window,  Our  father!  O  our  father!  we  shall 
see  his  face  no  more.  After  an  interval  of  twenty 
minutes  the  patriarch  came  to  the  door;  and  in 
a  strain  of  thrilling  j)athos,  and  paternal  affection, 
delivered  to  the  beloved  orphans,  whom  he  fami-  I 
liarly  used  to  call  his  ^^  dear  children,^^  an  address, 
which  not  only  evinced  the  tenderness  and  solici- 
tude of  his  heart,  but  seemed  to  portend  that  he 
was  then  delivering  to  them  his  last  message  from 
God — his  dying  testimony  to  the  truth  and  blessedness 
of  the  Christian  religion.  "  Children,  O  my  dear 
children!"  said  he,  "  pray  to  God  for  new  hearts. 
Seek  the  Lord  while  he  mav  be  found.  I  shall  meet 
you  no  more,  until  the  trumpet  of  the  archangel  wakes 
the  slumbering  dead.  Prlay  1  then  meet  you  in  your 
father's  house  in  heaven."  Vvlien  the  sound  of  his 
voice  had  ceased  ;  the  children  sung  the  following 
beautifully  appro|)riate  hymn,  in  a  manner  which  left 
an  impression  upon  the  minds  of  all  present,  that 
gratitude  and  filial  affection  filled  each  of  their  hearts. 

"  Let  us,  orphans,  look  to  heaven, 
Whence  all  blessings  freely  flow ; 
Children's  bread  from  God  is  given. 
All  our  wants  our  Father  knows. 

*»  "  Praise  the  Lord  for  food  and  raiment, 

House  and  home  he  here  provides, 
And  without  our  care  or  payment. 
All  our  wants  are  well  supplied." 

After   singing,   the  children    alternately   ascended 
the  stoop  where  he  was  standing,  and  received  from 


LAST  LETTER   TO  REV.  JOSEPH  GRAFTON.      .311 

their  aged  friend,  the  customary  New- Year's  gift,  as 
a  la$t  token  of  his  kindness  ;  and  this  most  interesting 
con£"refiration  was  dismissed  with  his  benediction. 
^'  This  scene,"  said  a  behokler,  "  was  akogether  one 
of  the  most  touching  that  has  been  witnessed  in  this 
city  for  many  years.  All  the  respectable  neighbours 
of  Dr.  S.  were  at  their  doors  and  windows,  and  seemed 
to  participatein  the  joy  of  the  aged  servant  of  Christ." 
Who  that  enjoyed  the  luxury  of  this  affecting  spec- 
tacle, but  must  have  felt,  that  among  the  benevolent 
institutions  which  adorn  the  present  age,  the  Orphan- 
Asylum,  when  properly  conducted,  occupies  a  rank 
of  paramount  importance,  and  is  entitled  to  the 
libral  support  of  every  friend  of  the  fatherless. 

The  last  letters  exchanged  between  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Stanford  and  the  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton,  whose  ordi- 
nation sermon  he  preached  more  than  forty  years 
ago,  (the  only  survivers  of  the  ecclesiastical  council 
assembled  on  that  occasion,)  are  here  subjoined,  not 
only  because  in  old  age,  they  evince  the  same  con- 
genial piety  which  animated  the  vigour  of  their  youth, 
but  to  show  that  those  veteran  soldiers  of  the  cross, 
like  David  and  Jonathan,  were  lovely  in  life,  and  in 
death  they  were  not  divided. 

''Neic-York,  December  8ih,  1833, 

"  MY  VERY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

"  It  was  gratifying  to  receive  one  more  letter  from 
your  friendly  hand.  1  thank  the  Lord  for  his  kind- 
ness in  supporting,  comforting,  and  making  you  useful 
in  his  Church  to  so  late  a  period  in  life.  And,  T  doubt 
not,  but  that  your  heavenly  Father  will  still  continue 
to  fulfil  his  promises  to  you,  and  give  you  such  supply 
of  grace,  as  shall  enable  you  to  glorify  him,  to  your 
final  hour.  I  have  an  impression,  that  your  last  two 
letters  to  me,  were  more  spiritual  than  some  v^'hich 
preceded  them,  and  I  could  not  but  bless  the  Lord 


312      LAST  LETTER   TO  REV.  JOSEPH  GRAFTOX. 

on  your  behalf,  that  lie  kept  you   in  sucli  intimate 
nearness  to  himself,   and  in  such  lively  exercise  of 
faith,  in  tiie  hlessed  Lord  Jesus.     These  are  realities 
which  1  daily  need,  and  for  which  my  soul  labours  and 
prays  continually  before  the  Lord.     At  present  your 
situation  is  different  from  mine  ;  as  you  are  allowed 
to  perforjn  public  duties  in  the  church,  and  administer 
the  ordinances  of  the  Lord  Jesus;    whereas,  I  am 
precluded  from  the  house  cf  God,  and  public  com- 
munion   with    his   saints.     I^Iy   Lord,   who,   1  hope, 
0{)ened   ii;y  heart  and   mouth  to  preach  his  blessed 
gospel,  nearly  sixty  years  ago,  has  closed  my  lips, 
so  that  I  have  not  delivered  a  discourse  for  several 
months  ;  and  owing  to  the  dropsy  in  my  chest,  I  can 
hold  but  short  conversation  with  my  visiting  friends. 
Well,  I  used  to  delight  in  the  Lord's  public  service; 
but  from  the  day  he  was  pleased  to  lay  his  hand  upon 
me,  and  shut  me  up  in  private,  1  have  had  no  anxious 
wis'i  to  renew  my  former  activity,  but  learn  submis- 
sion to  his  holy  will.     lie  has  not  yet  done  so  with 
yon.     All  he  allows  me  is,  the  use  of  a  pair  of  eyes  to 
read,  and  my  hand  to  write  ;  and  however  imperfectly, 
yet  I  can  employ  them,  and  praise  his  name  for  the 
blessings  1  enjoy.     But,  I  must  likewise  confess,  that 
my  poor  old  heart  is  so  often  infested  with  wandering 
thoughts,  that  I  frequently  think  that  it  more  resem- 
bles a  den  of  thieves,  than  a  residence  for  my  God  and 
Saviour.    This  too,  perhaps,  is  not  your  case  so  much 
as  mine.     You  know  that  Satan  made  a  more  daring 
attack  upon  the  blessed  Jesus,  w  hen  he  was  in  the 
solitary  wilderness;   and  no  wonder  that  he   assails 
me,   in  my  afflictive  seclusion  from   public  service. 
Well,  we  know  that  the  Son  of  God  was  tempted,  that 
he  might  succour  those  that  are  tempted  ;  and,  I  pray 
that  every  assault  may  lead  me  nearer  to  his  gracious 
arms.     When  I  preached  your  ordination    sermon, 
about  forty  years  ago,  I  knew  very  little  of  such  con- 
flicts; and  perhaps  this  was  the  case  with  you;  but. 


LETTER  FROM  THE  REV.  JOSEPH  GRAFTOX.     313 

by  reading  the  Bible,  and  the  history  of  God's  people, 
it  seems  that  the  roughest  part  of  the  journey  is 
reserved  for  the  last. 

"  That  the  Lord  maybe  sensibly  present  with  you, 
your  family,  and  congregation,  is  the  sincere  prayer 
of 

'*  Your's,  affectionately  in  the  Lord, 

"  JOHN  STANFORD." 

^'  Neivtoivn,  Januury  4:tli,  1834. 

*'  MY  DEAR  BROTHER  STANFORD, 

*'  Your  kind  epistle,  post-marked  December  8th, 
was  received.  1  thank  you  for  your  affectionate  re- 
membrance of  me,  and  for  the  good  and  pious  senti- 
ments it  contained.  To  wait  upon  the  Lord,  and  to 
wait  for  the  Lord,  O  how  sustaining  to  the  soul,  amidst 
the  trials  of  life,  and  the  infirmities  of  old  age.  It  is 
by  the  kindness  of  our  blessed  Lord,  that  he  re- 
plenishes our  lamps,  and  pours  into  them  the  oil  of 
his  grace,  or  they  would  certainly  go  out. 

*  O  to  grace,  how  great  a  debtor!' 

"  How  pleasing,  how  supporting  it  is,  to  reflect 
upon  the  purpose  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  Not  any 
covenant  made  with  you  or  me,  nor  with  Abraham, 
but  with  him  who  is  the  believer's  life,  and  the  surety 
of  his  salvation.  *  O  for  faith  to  credit  what  the 
x^lmighty  saith  !'  *  Believe,  and  take  the  promised 
rest.'  Our  light  afHiction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment, 
— a  moment  to  suffer,  a  moment  to  wait — then  comes 
Hie  crown  of  glory.  Is  it  not  your  constant  prayer, 
Lord,  increase  my  faith,  confirm  my  hope,  enlarge  my 
views?  I  trust  that  it  is.  Well,  the  happy  day  will 
soon  arrive,  when  the  weary  pilgrims  will  reach  the 
ncaceful  shores  of  everlasting^  bliss. 

"  May  the  good  Lord  prepare  us  both  for  our  de-" 

parturc.     I  generally  preach   half  the   Lord's  day, 

visit  the  sick,  attend  funerals,  <fcc.     In  view  of  death, 

or 


314   REV.  DRS.  BROW-NLEE,  KNOX,   AND  DE  WITT. 

my -hope,  my  only  liope,  is  in  the  atonement  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  imputation  of  his  righteousness  for 
justification,  when  tlie  King  shall  come  in  to  view 
the  guest.  O  may  we,  iny  brother,  ^  be  found  in  him.'' 
These  sentiments,  1  think,  accord  with  yoar's,  and 
here  is  the  solid  rock. 

*  Jesus,  my  God,  I  know  his  name, 
Ills  name  is  all  my  trust.' 

*^  I  often  think  with  you,  that  wlien  writing  to  a 
friend,  it  may  be  my  last  letter.  J3ut  may  ice  cor- 
respond as  long  as  our  heads  can  dictate,  and  our 
tremulous  lingers  trace  a  line. 

"  Our  Theological  Institution  flourishes — we  have 
fifty  students.  Your  young  friend,  T.  G.  Freeman, 
is  well — I  esteem  him  highly. 

"  3Iy  dear  brother  will,  1  hope,  excuse  the  imper- 
fections of  this  letter — take  it  as  it  is,  and  with  it  my 
sincere  prayers,  that  the  God  of  grace  may  be  your 
all  in  all,  in  ti?ne,  in  deaths  and  in  eternitij. 

"  Your  aged  and  affectionate  brother  in  the  Lord, 

"  JOSEPH  GRAFTON." 

Ipriday,  January  10th,  Dr.  S.  says  : — "  At  noon,  the 
Rev.  Drs.  Brownlee,  Knox,  and  Dewilt,  of  the  Dutch 
Church,  made  me  an  affectionate  and  higly  accepta- 
ble visit.     Evening  more  unwell.     Lord  be  with  me  I" 

"  Saturday,  11th.  Arose  this  morning  much  de- 
bilitated. AVrote  a  lono^  letter  to  a  friend  at  the  Citv 
Hospital.  Spent  the  remainder  of  the  day  in  looking 
unto  the  Lord." 

The  annexed  lithograph,  exhibits  a  fac  simile  of, 
the   last  words   he  wrote,  probably  about   six  hours 
before  his  translation  to  the  abodes  of  peace. 

Thus,  on  Tuesday,  the  14th  of  January,  1834,  about 
midnight,  died  this  faithful  servant  of  Christ,  as  lie 
lived,  a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  of 
«.>ur  Lord  and  Saviour — full  of  davs,  and  full  of  faith 


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LETTER  OF  CONDOLENCE.  315 

and  hope.  He  lias  realized  the  accomplishment  of  the 
declaration: — "  Thou  slialt  come  to  thy  grave  in  a  fall 
(is:e,  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  his  season.'''* 

When  the  departure  of  this  devoted  minister  was  an- 
nounced, all  seemed  to  feel  that  a  great  man  in  Israel 
had  fallen,  and  citizens  of  all  parties  united  in  doing 
honour  to  his  memory.  He  was  buried  on  the  16th  of 
January,  and  was  followed  by  more  than  seventy  cler- 
gymen of  various  religious  denominations,  and  a  nu- 
merous concourse  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants 
of  New- York.  About  two  hundred  orphan  children 
were  placed  in  front  of  the  long  procession,  which 
moved  from  his  house  in  jjispenard-street,  to  the  Bap- 
tist Church  in  Oliver-street,  which  was  crowded  by  a 
vast  congregation  of  more  than  two  thousand  persons. 
The  public  services  were  introduced  by  an  appropri- 
ate prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Brownlee,  of  the  Dutch 
Church,  the  impressive  and  interesting  funeral  address 
was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Spencer  H.  Cone,  and  the 
Rev.  Dr,  Milnor,  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  made  the 
concluding  prayer,  and  dismissed  the^deeply  affected 
audience. 

The  follqwing  are  from  among  the  numerous  letters 
of  condolence  which  were  sent  to  the  bereaved  chil- 
dren of  Dr.  Stanford. 
• 

From  the  Rev.  George  Upfold,  D.  D.  Rector  of 
Trinity  Church,  Pittsburgh,  to  T.  N.  Stanford. 

"  Pittsburgh,  January  21th,  1834. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  It  is  with  deep  and  unfeigned  regret,  that  I  have 
just  learned  the  decease  of  your  venerable  father,  my 
most  esteemed  friend  ;  and  T  cannot  refrain  from  ex- 
pressing to  you  my  sympathy  in  this  severe  bereave- 
ment. There  is  no  person  for  whom  I  entertained  a 
higher  regard,  both  as  a  man  and  a  Christian,  and  I 


3J6  LETTER  OF  CO.NDOLE.XCE. 

think  I  never  heard  of  any  one,  who  bore  the  increas- 
ing infirmities  of  old  age  witli  such  uniform  paticiice 
and  cheerfulness,  and  such  devout  submission  to  the 
will  of  God.  When  1  parted  from  him  in  May  last, 
he  intimated,  with  much  feeling,  what  indeed  seemed 
almost  evident,  that  he  should  never  see  me  more  on 
this  side  of  the  grave.  He  spoke  with  calm  compo- 
sure of  his  probable  early  departure,  and  expressed 
himself  ready  for  the  summons,  come  when  and  how 
it  might.  Death  was  to  him  a  familiar  topic  of 
thought  and  of  consolation,  and  he  anticipated  it  as  a 
peaceful  transition  to  a  life  of  everlasting  bliss.  Amid 
your  grief  for  his  loss,  you  have  the  uspeakable  con- 
solation to  believe  that  his  anticipations  are  realized, 
and  to  contemplate  him  now  as  a  happy  inmate  of  tii( 
paradise  of  God.  He  has  gone  to  his  God  and  to  his 
reward,  as  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe.  And  if  untiring 
efforts  to  do  good  to  his  fellow-men,  will,  as  tiic  scrip- 
ture leaves  us  no  room  to  doubt,  swell  the  recompense  : 
of  the  man  of  God,  your  venerated  father  will  meet  a 
recompense  which  in  fulness  of  glory,  falls  to  the  lot 
of  few  who  pass  from  time  into  eternity.  For  a  long 
period  of  years  he  has  been  the  friend  and  spiritual 
counsellor  of  the  poor,  and  the  wretched,  and  the  out- 
cast. His  labours  have  been  carried  on  amid  scenes 
of  suffering  and  distress,  which  few  are  able  to  ap- 
preciate. It  was  my  privilege,  in  years  past,  to  be 
frequently  with  him  in  his  visits  of  mercy  to  two 
of  the  public  institutions  of  the  city  of  New- York, 
which  formed  a  part  of  his  charge,  and  I  can  bear 
testimony  to  the  fidelity  with  which  he  reproved 
the  guilty,  and  the  tenderness  with  which  he  soothed 
and  comforted  the  mourner,  and  the  boldness  with 
which  he  preached  the  word  of  life,  as  well  as  to  the 
uniform  respect  and  attention  with  which  his  labours 
of  love  were  received  by  the  forlorn  and  miserable 
objects  to  whom  he  ministered.  He  has  been  pre- 
eminently useful  among  a  class  of  beingSj  who  but  for 


LETTER  OF  CONDOLENCE.  317 

him  would  have  had  little  or  no  opportunity  of  hearing 
the  gospel  of  Christ;  and  in  the  great  and  final  ac- 
count, many  wretched  out-casts,  brought  through  his 
affectionate  admonitions  to  repentance  and  reforma- 
tion, will  appear  as  seals  of  his  ministry,  and  rise  up 
and  call  him  blessed;  and  if  they  who  turn  many  to 
righteousness,  shall  shine  as  stars  for  ever  and  ever, 
he  who  has  been  so  devoted  in  the  work,  so  peculiarly 
the  friend  of  the  friendless,  and  of  those  who  had  none 
to  help,  will  shine  as  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  in 
that  briofht  constellation  of  saints,  which  shall  revolve 
around  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb, 

i'  My  family  unite  with  me  in  sympathy  for  the  loss 
you  have  sustained,  and  in  respect  for  him'  who  is 
gone. 

*'  Very  affectionately  and  truly  your  friend, 

"  GEORGE  UPFOLD." 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Samuel  Hope,  Esq.  of 
Liverpool,  England,  to  the  same,  dated, 

"  3%  20^^,  1834, 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR, 

"  I  did  not  receive  your  letter  of  the  23d  of  January, 
announcing  the  long  apprehended  removal  of  your  ex- 
cellent father  from  the  scene  of  his  active  and  useful 
labours,  till  about  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  since. 
When  it  arrived,  I  was  in  South- Wales,  in  pursuit  of 
liealth,  having  suffered  so  severely  from  the  effects  of 
overstrained  attention  to  public  and  private  business, 
as  to  occasion  the  greatest  anxiety  to  my  friends,  and 
to  render  my  immediate  retirement  from  the  bustle 
of  business  indispensably  necessary;  and  my  wife 
being  also  unwell,  your  letter  had  been  mislaid, 
I  had,  however,  been  informed,  meanwhile,  of  this 
event,  by  our  mutual  and  excellent  friend,  Mrs. 
Bethune,  who  also  gave  me  several  pleasing  particu- 
lars of  his  feelings  and  doings  during  his  last  illness. 
It  is  most  gratifying  to  me,  that  in  offering  to  yourself 

27* 


318  LETTER  OF  CONDOLENCE. 

and  the  other  surviving  relatives  of  my  departed  friend 
and  father,  the  expression  of  my  sincere  condolence. 
I  can  confidently  address  you  as  "  those  who  sorrow, 
but  not  without  hope  ;"  he  having  left  the  most  satis- 
factory evidence  that  could  be  desired,  of  your  loss 
being  his  unspeakably  great,  and  never-ending  gain. 
Let  it  be  your  aim,  my  dear  Sir,  to  emulate  his  faith 
and  his  example,  so  far  as  he  trod  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  Redeemer,  (for  though  I  know  them  not,  he,  like 
all  others,  must  have  had  his  imperfections,  seeing  a 
perfect  transcript  of  the  spotless  character  of  the  Son 
of  God  is  not  to  be  found)  imitate,  in  the  confident 
hope,  that  you  will  not  only  thereby,  like  him,  greatly 
serve  the  cause  of  God  in  your  generation,  but  that 
it  will,  more  than  any  thing  else,  except  the  well- 
grounded  assurance  of  an  interest  in  the  love  ni' 
Christ,  make  a  sick  and  dying  bed  easy,  and  smootho 
your  passage  to  the  tomb. 

*'  Believe  me,  my  dear  Sir, 

"  Your's  very  sincerely, 

"  SAMUEL  HOPE.' 


SUMMARY    VIEW. 


It  will  be  a  sufficient  apology  for  the  brevity  of  the 
following  analysis  of  the  private  and  public  character 
cf  the  Kev.  Dr.  Stanford,  to  say,  that  the  memoir  has 
already  grown  to  a  size  beyond  what  was  at  first  con- 
templated. 

In  presenting  «a  summary  view  of  the  life  and 
death  of  this  venerable  servant  of  Christ,  it  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say,  that  as  a  model  of  pious  industry, 
and  perseverance  in  the  duties  of  the  sacred  office, 
he  had  few  superiors. 

As  A  Man — he  was  endowed  with  considerable  in- 
tellectual vigour,  a^nd  discovered  a  fertility  of  inven- 
tion, a  soundness  of  judgment,  a  playfulness  of  fancy, 
and  powers  of  memory,  greatly  beyond  the  ordinary 
standard  of  mental  developement. 

The  urbanity  of  his  general  deportment  rendered 
him  an  agreeable  companion.  He  v/as  mild  and 
affectionate  to  all ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  possessed 
of  the  most  acute  sensibility.  This  was  to  him  a 
source  of  frequent  grief;  but,  under  the  control  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  it  was  doubtless  a  means  of  promoting  his 


320  _         SUMMARY  VIEW. 

hiimilit}^  and  consequent  growth  in  grace,  tie  was 
as  far  removed  from  dogmatic  arrogance,  as  from 
servility;  and  an  intimate  acquaintance  of  more  than 
twenty  years,  enables  the  writer,  witli  confidence,  to 
express  the  opinion,  that  the  mild  dignity  of  liis  ha- 
bitual demeanour,  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  his  office,  and  the  manifest  sincerity  of  his  heart, 
constituted,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree,  the  secret  of 
that  success,  with  which,  for  so  many  years,  he  con- 
tinued to  enforce  the  principles,  and  exemplify  the 
precepts  of  our  holy  religion. 

Naturally  formed  for  laborious  and  active  service 
in  the  cause  of  Christ,  he  not  only  undertook,  but,  by 
a  judicious  application  of  the  most  appropriate  means, 
he  accomplished  much.  His  regard  for  truth  was  so 
scrupulous  and  exemplary,  that  he  frequently  refused 
his  signature,  when  solicited  by  that  means,  to  patron- 
ize public  objects,  with  the  merits  of  which  other 
duties  had  prevented  him  from  becoming  familiar. 

As  A  Teacher  of  Youth — Dr.  Stanford  was 
eminently  qualified,  and  employed  a  portion  of  his 
time  with  singular  success.  Many,  who  as  the 
ministers  of  Christ  have  been  "  burning  and  shining 
lights,"  and  several  of  our  most  distinguished  citizens 
received  the  first  rudiments  of  their  education  under 
his  direction ;  and  from  its  organization,  until  the 
close  of  life,  he  continued,  the  useful  and  honoured 
President  of  the  New-York  Baptist  Education 
Society, 


SUMMARY  VIEW.  321 

As  A  Christiax — it  is  impossible  to  conteiiiplate 
the  character  of  Dr.  Stanford,  without  eiiiotioiis  of 
respect  and  pleasure.     His  early  religious  experience 
was  as  deep  and  pungent,  as  his  matured  principles 
were  eminently  regulated  by  the  standard  of  evan- 
gelicai  purity  ;  and  while  he  daily  evinced  a  growing 
dissatisfaction  with   himself,   he  struggled    manfully 
towards  the   attainment  of  universal  holiness;  and 
clung  to  the  cross  of  Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  hope  of 
the  condemned  sinner.     Though   many  have  shone 
jnoro   brilliantly,  and  others  have  acquired  greater 
celebrity  from  their  eminence  in  the  Christian  graces, 
yet  {e\\-  men  have  loved  and  practised  the  duties  of 
private  devotion,  more  than  Dr.  Stanford.     With  him 
the  motto  of  the  immortal  Luther — "Bene  orasse  est 
bene  studuisse,"  was  a  practical  maxim.    The  closet 
was  his  home,  and  devout  meditation  upon  the  sacred 
page  the  constant  employment  of  his  life. 

"  Prayer  all  his  business,  all  his  pleasure  praise." 

This  is  no  undistinguishing  panegyric,  but  an  un- 
varnished statement  of  well  authenticated  fact.  No 
man  could  set  a  higher  value  upon  orthodoxy,  but 
yet  he  regarded  personal  religion  and  daily  com- 
munion with  God,  as  being  of  paramount  importance. 
From  this  source  of  improvement  and  happiness,  no 
other  engagement  could  divert  him.  His  whole  con- 
duct in  this  respect  seemed  to  be  a  commentary  upon 
the  saying — that  if  the  twelve  apostles  lived  in  the 
game  street  with  a  Christian,  he  would  be  injured  !)y 


322  SUMMARY  VIEW. 

their  visits,  if  they  interrupted  his  private  communion 
with  God.  His  devotional  exercises,  spiritual  and 
constant,  were  animated  by  a  spirit  kindled  from 
above,  and  inextinguishable  as  tlie  fire  on  the  Jewis!i 
altar. 

In  the  progress  of  his  Christian  experience  Dr. 
Stanford  cultivated  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  his 
own  heart,  and  habituated  himself  to  the  duty  of  bring- 
ing his  actions  and  their  motives  to  the  test  of  Chris- 
tian principles ;  it  is  therefore  not  surprising,  that  in 
his  diary  we  find  so  many  passages  devoted  to  self- 
condemnation. 

The  habitual  state  of  his  mind  was  indeed  calm, 
and  we  generally  find  him  "  strong  in  the  faith,  giving 
glory  to  God,"  yet  at  times  he  was  cast  down,  and 
deeply  lamented  the  hidings  of  God's  countenance; 
but  the  distressim?  doubts  which  assailed  him  under 
these  trials,  though  the  invention  of  an  enemy,  did 
but  drive  him  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  there,  as  a 
penitent  sinner,  he  might  obtain  pardon  and  eternal 
life  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

His  life  was  a  path  cliequcred  with  alternate  joys 
and  sorrows,  of  toils  and  cares  ;  it  was  a  scene  of 
blended  light  and  shade.  Few  Christians  have  suf- 
fered, laboured,  or  enjoyed  more;  but  under  all  the 
vicissitudes  w-hich  marked  his  career,  he  pursued  the 
undeviating  tenour  of  his  way,  and  in  an  extraor- 
dinary degree,  accomplished  the  purposes  of  human 
existence. 

Whatever  were  his  own  circumstances,  he  continued 


SUMMARY  VIEW.  323 

to  the  end  oflif.),  to  evince  the  utmost  concern  for  the 
welfare  of  others.  His  prayers  to  the  throne  of  mercy 
were  offered  not  merely  for  his  friends,  but  even  his 
enemies  had  an  interest  in  his  supplications.  From 
the  baneful  passions  of  envy  and  anger,  he  was  de- 
hvered  in  no  ordinary  degree;  and  it  is  worthy  of 
particular  remark,  that  he  was  seldom  heard  to  utter 
a  word  to  the  disadvantage  of  those  who  had  injured 
him.  Although  his  diary  abounds  with  lamentations 
for  his  own  sins,  yet  there  is  not  one  word  of  resent- 
ment against  his  enemies ;  but  over  the  faults  of  others 
he  spread  the  mantle  of  Christian  charity,  which 
"  covers  a  multitude  of  sins."  It  is  probable  that 
there  have  been  but  few  instances  of  a  more  risrid  ex- 
emplification  of  the  divine  rule,  "  love  your  enemies, 
bless  them  that  curse  you,  and  do  good  to  them  that 
hate  you,  and  pray  for  those  who  despitefully  use  and 
persecute  you." 

As  Tin:  MiMSTEii  of  Christ — his  appearance  in 
the  pulpit  commanded  universal  respect.  Dr.  Stan- 
ford was  a  man  of  middle  stature.  His  mien  was 
dignified,  and  his  countenance  expressive  of  cnergv, 
intelligence,  and  benevolence.  His  voice,  which 
was  one  of  great  compass  and  clearness,  not  only 
filled  our  most  spacious  churches,  but,  like  the  spirit- 
stirring  trumpet,  it  could  at  once  command  and  sus- 
tain the  eager  attention  of  an  auditory.  Like  the 
voice  of  the  Baptist  crying  in  tlie  wilderness,  "  pre- 
pare ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,"  he  seemed  to  penetrate 


3-24 


SV3IMARY  VIEW. 


tho  heart  of  every  hearer;  and  produced  an  impres- 
sion, deeper  and  more  sahitary  than  the  thunders  of 
Demosthenes,  or  the  splendid  declamation  of  Cicero. 
While  uttering  the  terrors  of  the  holy  law,  his  deep 
tones  would  often  startle  the  impenitent";  but,  when 
announcing  the  message  of  mercy,  his  accents  were 
mild  and  persuasive. 

His  chief  preparation  for  the  pulpit  was  earnest  and 
persevering  prayer,  although  he  made  it  an  almost 
invariable  rule  to  compose  a  new  sermon  for  each 
occasion.     He  was  as  far  removed  from  scholastic 
pedantry  on   the  one  hand,  as   from  inattention   to 
classical  propriety  of  diction  on  the  other;  with  him 
the  maxim  of  Dr.  Johnson  was  paramount : — "  Words 
ought  to  be  laboured,  when  they  are  intended  to  stand 
for  things,"  and  he  therefore  "  sought  to  find  out  ac- 
ceptable u'ords.''^     While   engaged  in   preaching,   he 
would  frequently  seize  upon  some  prominent  topic  or 
incident,  and  urge  it  upon  the  attention  of  his  con- 
gregation with  a    pathos,   and   energy  of  language 
vvhich  few  could  hear  unmoved.     His  sermons  were 
always  evangelical,  and  replete  with  the  treasures  of 
t^he  sacred  volume,  to  a  degree  which  demonstrated 
his  personal  conviction  of  its  paramount  importance 
as  a  guide  in  duty,  and  the  only  immutable  foundation 
of  hope. 

"  Here  is  firm  footing — ali  is  sea  besides." 

In  point  of  native  intellect.  Dr.  S.  is  to  be  regarded 
as  occupying   an   exalted  rank,  although  a  waiit  of 


I 


SUMMARY  VIEW.  325 

early  culture,  and  his  active  employment  in  the  im- 
mediate duties  of  life,  prevented  him  from  attainino- 
that  hterary  fame  which  his  great  industry  and  strong- 
mind  would,  under  different  circumstances,  have  ena- 
bled him  to  acquire.  With  a  retentive  memory  he 
possessed  a  fertile  imagination,  and  both  were  sanc- 
titied  to  the  noble  purpose  of  giving  force  to  his  pubHc 
instructions,  and  aiding  the  devotion  of  his  hearers. 
From  the  deep  fountains  of  a  pure  theology.  Dr.  S. 
brought  forth  the  truth,  and  not  unfrequently  enforced 
it  with  some  striking  illustration,  borrowed  from  the 
familiar  incidents  of  life,  and  produced  an  impression 
upon  the  minds  of  his  hearers,  to  which  the  most 
elaborate  argument  would  have  proved  unequal.  His 
tigures  were  always  natural,  scriptural,  and  generally 
felicitous,  and  it  is  therefore  not  surprising  that  their 
effect  was  happy  and  permanent.*  The  writer  cannot 
forget  passages  of  this  description,  from  sermons 
preached  twenty  years  since;  and  thousands  who 
heard  Dr.  S.  before  the  writer  was  born,  remember, 
with  pleasure,  his  pertinent  and  pious  remarks. 

As  a  preacher.  Dr.  S.  is  to  be  contemplated  in  the 
light  of  a  man,  declaring  to  others,  truths,  the  un- 
speakable importance  of  which  he  deeply  realized. 
His  preaching  was  something  more  than  studied 
declamation ;  and  in  the  flowing  stream  of  his  thoughts, 


*  For  a  beautiful  illustration  of  his  peculiarly  happy  use  of  a  figurative 
style,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  interesting  letter  from  the  Rev.  Spencer 
H.  Cone,  with  which  this  memoir  closes. 

28 


326  SUMMARY  VIEW. 

he  never  lost  sight  of  those  humbling  doctrines  which 
stand  identified  with  the  deep  and  everlasting  interest 
of  the  immortal  soul.  Hence,  we  never  find  him  wan- 
dering into  the  mazes  of  doubtful  speculation,  but 
himself  intrenched  within  the  limits  of  a  revealed 
iheology,  he  laboured  to  guard  his  hearers  from  over- 
leaping those  barriers  by  which  heaven  has  bounded 
the  researches  of  the  human  intellect. 

"  He  mix'd  not  faith  with  fable,  but  he  trod 
Right  onward,  cautious  in  the  ways  of  God ! 
Nor  did  he  dare  to  launch  on  seas  unknown, 
In  search  of  truths,  by  some  advent'rers  ehown, 
But  his  own  compass  vis'd,  and  kept  a  course  his  own." 

Dr.  S.  was  not  of  the  number  of  those  who  darken 
counsel  by  words  w  ithout  knowledge  ;  but  in  great 
plainness,  and  with  godly  sincerity,  his  aim  was,  to 
make  every  sermon  tell  upon  the  consciences  of  his 
hearers.  The  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  and  the 
infinite  value  of  the  atonement,  through  the  blood  of 
Christ,  were  among  his  favourite  topics.  The  amaz- 
ing love  of  the  Saviour — that  love,  which  reaches 
from 

"  The  living  throne,  the  sapphire  blaze. 
Where  angels  tremble  as  they  gaze," 

was  the  soul  of  his  preaching.  Like  a  man  desirous 
of  showing  a  very  beautiful  picture,  he  placed  Iiimself 
out  of  sight,  behind  the  cross,  w  hile  endeavouring  to 
exhibit  the  dying  Saviour  to  the  view  of  the  people. 
Having   no  other  ground  of  hope   for   himself,    he 


SUMMARY  VIEW.  327 

laboured  to  exhibit  Emanuel,  "  God  manifest  in  the 
Jksfi,'^  as  the  only  hope  of  a  ruined  world;  and  as 
Christ  was  the  beginning  and  the  end  of  all  his 
brightest  anticipations,  so  Christ  was  the  Alpha  and 
Omega  of  all  his  preaching.  To  the  cross  alone  did 
he  fly  for  safety  ;  and  to  the  cross,  as  the  only  refuge, 
did  he  direct  the  sinner.  For  this  great  work  every 
faculty  of  his  mind  was  brought  into  requisition — the 
prayers  of  the  closet — the  labours  of  the  study — read- 
ing and  conversation — providences  adverse  or  pros- 
perous— every  event,  and  every  object  within  the 
sphere  of  his  observation,  was  made  subservient  in 
the  great  work  of  persuading  men  to  be  reconciled 
to.  God.  So  intent  was  he  upon  promoting  the 
spiritual  improvement  of  others,  that  he  seemed 
utterly  regardless  of  the  toil  and  sacrifice  by  which  it 
was  to  be  accomplished.     He  could  say — 

"  In  serving  others,  I  am  myself  consumed." 

It  was  an  interesting  trait  in  his  preaching,  that  his 
text  and  sermon  were  invariably  and  peculiarly 
adapted  to  the  occasion — usually  brief — always  point- 
ed and  impressive.  He  knew  how  at  once  to  reach, 
and  to  affect  the  human  heart.  We  can  hazard 
nothing,  in  applying  to  him  the  encomium  of  the  poet : 

"  Extensive  sense  he  into  compass  drew,  • 

Said  what  was  just,  and  always  something  new." 

Although  as  a  man  he  highly  valued  the  approbation 
cf  all,  yet  as  a  preacher  he  was  not  covetous  of  popu- 


328 


SU3IMARY  VIEW. 


larity,  in  the  common  acceptation  of  the  term.  He 
sought  rather  to  be  useful  than  entertaining.  Nor 
did  he,  though  liis  natural  temperament  greatly  pre- 
disposed him  to  this, 

"  Court  a  grin  when  he  should  woo  a  soul." 

Dr.  Stanford  was  indeed  an  immoveable  cham- 
pion of  the  truth.  Of  Baxter  it  is  said,  that  he  dis- 
covered the  same  intrepidity  when  he  reproved  Crom- 
well, and  expostulated  with  Charles  II.  as  when  lie 
preached  to  a  congregation  of  mechanics;  and  great 
injury  would  be  done  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Stanford, 
if  we  should  omit  to  state  the  fact,  that  he  was  indeed 
remarkable  for  speaking  the  plainest  truths  on  every 
occasion,  and  to  persons  in  every  condition  in  life. 
Fearless  of  consequences  in  the  discharge  of  duty,  he 
seemed  to  be  animated  with  the  spirit  of  Luther,  when 
he  said: — "  Mallem  cum  Christo  mere,  quam  regnare 
Ceesare."  I  would  rather  die  with  Christ,  than  reign 
with  Caesar.  No  one  could  hear  him  and  not  feel  that 
he  was  indeed  an  honest  man,  speaking  under  the 
consciousness  of  a  momentous  responsibility,  and  in- 
tent only  upon  the  salvation  of  his  hearers.*     He  was 


*  The  Rev.  Samuel  Pearce,  while  on  a  journey  in  the  north  of  Eng- 
land, arrived  in  the  town  of ,  on  a  Wednesday  evening,  and  inquired 

of  his  host  where  he  could  go  to  hear  a  good  sermon.  Several  places 
were  mentioned.  "  Well,"  said  Mr.  P.  "  describe  the  ministers  who 
occupy  these  several  pulpits,  and  I  will  make  a  selection."  "  3Ir.  — ■ — -,'" 
said  his  host,  ''  is  a  celebrated  orator — he  is  much  admired  for  his  great 
eloquence."     "  And  what."  said  Mr.  P.  is  the  reputation  of  the  next 


SUxAIMARY  VIEW.  329 

"  Simple,  grave,  sincere ; 
In  doctrine  uncorrnpt:  in  language  plain, 
And  plain  in  manner:  decent,  solemn,  chaste, 
And  natural  in  gesture;  much  impress'd 
Himself,  as  conscious  of  his  awful  charge, 
And  anxious  mainly  that  the  flock  he  fed 
Might  feel  it  too  :  affectionate  in  look 
And  tender  in  address,  as  well  became  ' 

A  messenger  of  grace  to  guilty  man." 

His  Success — As  a  most  aifectionate,  fervent, 
and  successful  minister  of  Christ,  his  diary  confirm^ 
the  opinion,  that  he  had  few  superiors.  Owing  to  the 
peculiar  nature  of  his  engagements,  the  results  of  his 
labour  in  the  salvation  of  souls,  were  never  brought 
out  to  public  view.  His  efforts  were  chiefly  limited 
to  institutions  where  the  orsranization  of  churches  was 
inadmissible,  and  where,  consequently,  the  amount  of 
his  usefulness  could  not  become  a  matter  of  public 
observation;  but  it  is  confidently  believed,  that  in  the 
number  of  souls  actually  converted  to  God  through 
his  instrumentality,  he  would  not  suffer  from  a  com- 


preacher  ?"     "  Why,  as  to  Mr. ^,  lean  scarcely  tell  what  to  say.     He 

is  a  plain,  but  all  the  people  acknowledge  that  he  is  a  good  man ;  he 
throws  himself  entirely  into  the  back  ground  by  his  great  diffidence,  and 
is  for  ever  preaching  something  about  Christ,  and  urging  men  to  repent 
and  believe;  and  you  know.  Sir,  that  is  not  the  way  to  be  very  popular." 
■•  That,"  said  Mr.  Pearce,  '*  is  the  man  for  me ;  let  us  go  and  hear  him." 
O  that  mankind  could  realize  the  importance  of  the  sentiment  which  this 
preference  of  the  amiable  and  pious  Mr.  Pearce  is  calculated  to  teach. 
Surely  the  embellishments  of  rhetoric  were  never  intended  to  be  the  food 
of  the  mind.  Flowers  may  please,  and  gems  may  dazzle,  but  no  man 
can  feed  on  either.  It  is  the  bread,  the  bread  of  life ;  and  that  alone^ 
which  God  has  ordained  as  the  spiritual  aliment  of  the  immortal  soul, 

^8* 


330  SUMMARY  VIEW. 

parison  with  those  who  rank  among  our  most  useful 
pastors.  "  In  every  work  that  he  began  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  house  of  God,  and  in  the  law,  and  in  the 
commandments,  to  seek  his  God,  he  did  it  with  all 
his  heart,  and  prospered." 

It  was  not  in  the  pulpit  only,  that  he  resolved  "  to 
hiow  nothing  among  men,  save  Jesus  Christ  and  km 
crucified;''^  he  acted  upon  the  same  principle  in  every 
place,  and  under  all  circumstances.  His  pious  resolu- 
tion, mentioned  in  a  former  j^art  of  this  memoir,  is 
fresh  in  the  recollection  of  the  reader.  Though  no 
man  was  better  qualified  to  add  to  the  innocent  ])lea- 
sures  of  the  social  circle,  by  the  good  natured  wit  in 
which  he  abounded,  yet  he  solemnly  covenanted  with 
God,  that  he  would  lose  none  of  his  precious  time  by 
formal  visits,  and  that  wherever  he  went,  he  would 
appear  only  as  a  minister.  As  such,  therefore,  he 
was  universally  recognised  and  honoured.     He 

"  Paid  no  nsoment  but  in  purchase  of  its  worth." 

Another  characteristic  of  Dr.  S.  which  it  would  be 
injustice  not  to  record,  is,  that,  to  surprising  industry, 
he  added  all  the  advantages  of  the  most  uniform  sys- 
tem and  order  throughout  every  department  of  his 
private  and  public  life.  With  him  it  was  literally 
true,  that  "  there  was  a  place  for  every  thing,  and 
every  tiling  was  in  its  })lace."  Few  men  spent  more 
hours  in  the  study,  and  no  man's  study  presented  a 
greater  degree  of  neatness  and  order  in  its  arrange- 
ment* 


SUMMARY  VIEW.  331 

His  time  was  divided  into  appropriate  seasons  for 
devotion  and  labour ;  and  every  person  accustomed 
to  visit  him,  will  concur  in  the  declaration,  that  you 
could  never  find  Dr.  Stanford  unemployed.  When, 
owing  to  age  and  infirmity,  he  conld  no  longer  ascend 
the  pulpit,  he  devoted  his  remaining  strength  to  the 
moral  interests  of  his  fellow-creatures,  by  speaking  in 
frequent  paragraj)hs  through  the  medium  of  the  press, 
and  by  epistolary  communications.  "  An  emperor," 
i^aid  Vespasian,  "  should  die  standing ;"  and  of  our 
venerable  friend  it  may  be  said,  that  with  a  more  than 
Roman  energy,  lie  persevered  in  the  duties  of  his 
station,  until  he  fell  in  death,  covered  with  the  honours 
of  a  long  and  well-spent  life. 

Another  conspicuous  trait  in  the  character  of  Dr. 
S.  was  his  freedom  from  that  exclusiveness  and  biijotrv 
which,  while  it  abridges  the  personal  enjoyment, 
greatly  mars  the  usefulness  of  the  individual  who  is 
under  its  influence.  He  possessed  a  heart  filled  with 
universal  benevolence — he  was  a  lover  of  all  good 
men,  although  they  did  not  follow  him. 

Besides  his  labours  as  a  chaplain,  he  was  ])re- 
«  minently  a  j:)romoter  of^  the  charities  of  the  age. 
His  generosity  in  relieving  the  wants  of  the  poor,  and 
meeting  the  numerous  applications  of  the  religious 
institutions  of  the  day,  was  bounded  only  by  the 
amount  of  his  pecuniary  ability.  It  was  his  invaria- 
ble practice  to  devote  a  certain  part  of  his  yearly  in- 
come, to  benevolent  purposes;  and  in  the  distribution 
of  his  annual  benefactions,  particular  reference  was 


332  SUMMARY  VIEW. 

had  to  those  institutions  and  cases,  that  were  upon  a 
careful  examination  found  to  be  the  most  deserving. 

Throughout  this  populous  and  extended  city,  we 
perceive,  on  every  side,  the  traces  of  his  energetic 
benevolence.  His  untiring  solicitude  to  promote  the 
morals,  and  the  happiness  of  his  fellow-creatures, 
stands  inscribed  in  the  history,  and  his  name  is  enrolled 
amongst  the  officers  of  nearly  every  Christian  and 
charitable  institution  of  the  city.  The  sanctuaries  of 
our  holy  religion,  the  Aims-House,  Schools,  Hos- 
pitals, and  Jails  ;  Bible,  Tract,  Missionary,  Temper-  | 
ance,  and  Sunday  School  Societies,  exhibit  the  mo- 
numents of  his  fervent  piety  and  zeal. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact,  that  this  venerable  servant 
of  Christ,  was  probably,  not  only  the  first  systematic 
distributer  of  religions  tracts  in  the  city  of  New-York, 
but  that  his  labours  in  this  noble  cause  commenced 
nineteen  years  prior  to  the  formation  of  the  London 
TiiACT  Society.  His  first  tract  was  published  and 
gratuitously  distributed  more  i\\^n  fifty-five  years  ago. 
To  the  piety  and  zeal  of  Dr.  Stanford  we  may  ascribe 
the  origin  of  several  benevolent  institutions,  which 
novv'  adorn  and  bless  our  city  ;  amongst  which,  the 
New-York  House  of  Refuge,  and  the  Neav-York 
Institution  for  the  Instruction  of  the  Deaf 
AND  Dumb,  are  not  the  least  important. 

As  A  Theological  Writer — he  was  not  in« 
active,  yet  he  seems  to  have  been  more  anxious,  by 
a  life  devoted  to  the  public,  to  engrave  his  memory 


/  SUMMARY  VIEW.  333 

upon  the  grateful  hearts  of  the  destitute  poor,  than 
by  the  pursuits  of  learning",  to  inscribe  his  memorial 
upon  the  pages  of  literary  fame.  But  even  in  this 
department  he  succeeded  to  a  degree  truly  astonish- 
ing, if  we  take  into  view  the  multipliciry  of  his  other 
duties.  The  works,  on  various  theological  subjects, 
published  by  Dr.  Stanford,  amount  to  more  than 
THREE  THOUSAND  PAGES,  or  about  ten  octavo  volumes. 
The  re-publication  of  several  of  these  in  this  country 
and  in  Europe,  is  the  best  comment  upon  their  adap- 
tation to  general  usefulness. 

History  informs  us  that  the  youthful  Hannibal  was 
led  to  the  altar  of  Hamilcarj  and  made  to  swear  that 
lie  would  never  be  at  peace  with  the  Roman  republic  ; 
and,  like  him,  though  in  a  better  cause,  our  departed 
friend,  at  an  early  period  of  life,  vowed  hostility  to 
the  powers  of  darkness  ;  a  pledge  wiiich  he  faithfully 
redeemed.  His  love  to  God,  and  concern  for  the 
souls  of  men,  were  early  developed,  and  continued 
pure,  fervent,  and  increasing,  up  to  the  hour  when 
the  light  of  eternity  burst  upon  his  enraptured  vision, 
and  discovered  to  him  the  victor's  crown  beyond  the 
valley  of  death. 

The  last  five  months  of  his  life  were  spent  chiefly 
in  his  study,  and  when,  like  the  celebrated  Gesner, 
he  found  his  final  hour  approaching,  he  gave  orders 
to  prepare  the  room  adjoining  his  study,  that  he 
might  meet  death  near  the  place  in  which  he  had 
gpent  so  many  happy  hours.  In  this  solemn  place, 
the  writer  frequently  conversed  with  him  on  the  sub- 


334  SUMMARY  VIEW. 

ject  of  Ills  expected  change.  He  experienced  no 
raptures  In  prospect  of  that  glory  to  which  he  was 
tending;  but  he  was  uniformly  calm,  and  as  his 
minutes  fled,  his  Christian  graces  brightened,  and  his 
faith  in  the  atonement  of  Christ  seemed  to  acquire 
increased  strength.  '•  My  hope,  my  only  hope,  my 
unshaken  hope,"  said' he  on  one  occasion,  "  is  fixed 
upon  the  eternal  rock,  Christ  Jesus."  All  who  visited 
him  in  his  last  days,  must  have  felt,  that 

"  The  chamber  where  the  good  man  meets  his  fate, 
Is  privilegc'.l  beyond  the  common  walk 
Of  vh-tuous  life,  quite  in  the  verge  of  heaven." 

From  his  faithful  housekeeper  we  learn,  that  during 
the  day  which  preceded  his  death,  (Jan.  13th,  1834,) 
he  was  as  well  as  usual,  and  employed  himself  in 
writinsf  letters,  and  receivinsr  the  visits  of  his  Christian 
friends.  At  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  he  convened 
his  household  around  the  beloved  family  altar,  and 
there,  for  the  last  time,  poured  out  his  soul  in  prayer, 
and  commended  them  to  the  grace  of  God.  After 
this  he  retired  to  rest — it  was  his  last  night.  About 
twelve  o'clock,  the  attendant  who  slept  in  the  same 
room,  discovered  symptoms  of  uneasiness,  and  on 
approaching  the  bed  with  a  light,  was  much  alarmed 
at  his  altered  appearance,  and  immediately  sum- 
moned the  housekeeper,  whose  practised  eye  at  once 
discovered  the  stamp  of  death  upon  his  countenance. 
3Iedical  aid  was  soon  obtained — but  the  toils  of  the" 
labourer  were  en^ed — the  conflict  with  the  prince  of 


,SUMMAKY  VIEW.  335 

tlarkness  was  past — the  persecutions  and  sorrows  of* 
ihe  world  disturbed  liim  as  little  as  tlie  midnight 
storm  that  swept  over  his  peaceful  habitation — he 
was  still — he  slept — he  was  at  rest. 

He  fell  not  as  the  opening  flower  before  the  sweep- 
ing stroke  of  the  mower,  but,  like  a  shock  of  corn 
fully  ripe,  he  was  gathered  in  his  season.  As  his  life 
was  one  of  unaffected  piety,  of  practical  goodness, 
and  inexhaustible  benevolence,  so  he  died,  full  of 
years  and  full  of  honours,  revered  and  lamented  by 
all  who  enjoyed  the  happiness  of  his  acquaintance. 
"  Let  mc  die  ihe  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last 
rnd  he  like  his''^ — For 

"  Sure  the  last  end  of  the  good  man  Is  peace. 
Night  dews  fall  not  more  gently  on  the  ground, 
Nor  weary  worn-out  winds  expire  so  soft. 

By  unperceived  degrees  he  wears  away, 
Yet  like  the  sun,  seems  larger  at  his  setting; 
High  in  his  faith  and  hopes,  look  how  he  stretches 
After  tlie  prize  in  view." 

"  And  1  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto  me^ 
Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from, 
henceforth :  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest 
from  their  lahovrs ;  and  their  works  do  follow  the??].^'' 


330    LETTER  FROM  REV.  SPENCER  H.  CONE* 


We  exceedingly  regret  that  the  following  interest- 
ing letter  from  the  Rev.  Spencer  H.  Cone,  was  re- 
ceived at  too  late  a  period  to  be  inserted  in  its  proper 
place  in  the  volume,  and  we  are  therefore  compelled 
to  irive  it  at  the  close. 


3 


"  NciC'Yorl;  July  28tlt,  1835. 

"  DEAR  BROTHER, 

"  I  find,  upon  referring  to  the  record,  that  the  Rev. 
John  Stanford  united  with  the  Oliver-street  Baptist 
Church,  June  30th,  1817,  and  was  dismissed,  as  we 
believe,  to  unite  with  the  Church  triumphant,  Janu- 
ary 14th,  1834.  During  the  last  twelve  years  of  his 
life,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being  intimately  acquainted 
with  him,  and  found  him  ever  a  wise  counsellor  and 
faithful  friend.  It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  de- 
tail the  various  points  of  character  which  distinguished 
him  as  a  scholar,  a  Christian,  and  a  preacher ;  this 
has  been  done  in  the  memoir  you  are  about  to  pre- 
sent to  the  public.  But  you  will  allow  me  to  give  a 
brief  sketch  of  a  single  sermon,  and  the  last  I  had  the 
privilege  of  hearing  him  preach  in  Ohver-street. 
The  scripture  he  read  upon  the  occasion,  was  John 
xi.  1 — 44.  His  introduction  consisted  of  a  parallel 
drawn  between  the  death  and  resurrection  of  Lazarus, 
and  a  sinner  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  and  raised  to 
newness  of  life  by  the  power  of  God.  The  ingenuity, 
vivacity,  brevity,  and  variety  of  comparison  employed, 
rendered  the  exordium  unusually  interesting.  The 
preaclier  then,  with  characteristic  abruptness,  paused 
and  exclaimed,  *  O  that  I  had  the  skill  of  a  painter! 
The  chapter  I  have  read,  furnishes  ample  materials 
for  an  angel's  brush!  Well,  I  will  try !  And  with  a 
palette  whiter  than  ivory,  with  colours  purely  scrip- 
tural, deeply  tinged  with  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and 
with  the  pencil  of  truth,  I  will  paint  four  family 
PICTURES.     God  errant  that  I  may  so  paint  them,  that 


LETTER  FROM   REV.  SPENCER  H.  CONE.         337 

they  may  be  hung  up  in  the  secret  chamber  of  your 
hearts  tor  ever ! 

"  *  My  first  picture  shall  be, 

"  '  I.  The  happy  family!  Lazarus,  and  Martha, 
and  Mary,  the  little  family  at  Bethany,  whom  Jesus 
loved.  This  was  the  secret  of  their  domestic  felicity. 
The  love  of  God  was  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts,  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  given  unto  them.  They  dwelt  in  love, 
and  dwelt  in  God ;  their  happiness  was  genuine  and 
lasting;  it  commenced  on  earth,  to  be  perfected  and 
perpetuated  in  heaven. 

"  *  But  we  live  in  a  changing  world!  Even  those 
whom  God  loves,  shall  have  tribulation!  therefore  my 
second  picture  must  exhibit, 

*'  '  II.  The  anxious  family  I  Lazarus  is  sick! 
Jesus  is  at  a  distance.  Medicines  appear  to  afford 
butiittle  relief.  The  sisters  tremble  at  the  thought 
of  being  left  alone  in  an  unfriendly  world,  without 
father,  mother,  or  brother  !  Mary  bends  over  his 
sick  bed,  with  all  her  quiet,  deep-toned,  persevering 
affection!  Martha,  with  no  less  love,  is  busied  about 
many  things ;  inquiring  after  some  new^  specific,  or 
making  something  to  allay  the  feverish  thirst.  Must 
he  be  taken  away  from  us?  Send  a  messenger  to  the 
Master,  and  just  let  him  say,  '  Lord,  he  whom  thou 
kwest  is  sick,^  But  the  messenger  does  not  arrive  in 
lime  to  save  him !  No  answer  is  received !  the  stroke 
anticipated  with  such  fearful  anxiety,  falls;  and  my 
third  picture,  hung  in  black,  presents, 

*'  *  III.  The  bereaved  family  !  Lazarus  is  dead ! 
The  only  brother,  the  stay  of  the  family,  who  provides 
for  our  daily  wants,  led  in  worship,  comforted,  and 
counselled  us;  he  is  taken  away !  Oh!  ^  if  the  Lord 
had  been  here,  our  brother  had  not  diedP  But  it  is  all 
over  now;  the  family  circle  is  broken  up,  and  we 
shall  never  meet  again,  till  the  resurrection  at  the 
i;ast  day. 

^**  liaughters  of  Jerusalem,  wipe  away  your  tears! 

29 


338    LETIER  FROM  RKV.  SPENCKR  H.  CO.NE. 

Sorrow  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh  in  the 
morning!  My  fourth  picture  shall  display  to  your 
believing  eyes  and  your  rejoicing  hearts, 

"'IV.  The  grateful  family !  Behold!  our  friend 
Lazarus  is  not  dead — he  sleepeth.  Jesus  is  not  far 
off,  but  nigh  at  hand,  a  present  help  in  time  of  trouble. 
He  stands  at  the  grave,  and  cries  with  a  loud  voice, 
'  Lazarus,  come  fortli.  And  he  that  was  dead  camt 
forth,  hound  hand  and  foot  with  grave-clothes :  and  his 
face  was  hound  ahout  ivith  a  napkin.  Jesus  saith  vnto 
ihem,  Loose  him,  and  let  him  go.^  He  is  restored  to 
the  embrace  of  his  fond  sisters;  the  family  circle  is 
again  com{)lete ;  and  while  they  gaze  with  wonder, 
love,  and  joy,  upon  Lazarus  raised  from  the  dead, 
their  full  hearts  overflow  with  gratitude  to  the  author 
of  all  their  mercies,  and  their  united  cry  is,  Let  God 
be  glmif^d /' 

"  Thus  have  I  given  an  imperfect  and  hasty  outline 
of  a  sermon  strongly  marked  with  pulpit  talent;  rich 
in  doctrinal,  experimental,  and  practical  truth;  the 
tlioughts  so  happily  arranged,  and  so  forcibly  ex\)xess- 
e(i,tha.tihii  four  family  jnctures  can  never  be  obliterat- 
ed from  my  mind  '  while  memory  holds  her  seat.' 

"  The  last  illness  of  Brother  Stanford,  as  you 
know,  was  protracted  and  painful  in  the  extreme.  It 
was  my  custom  to  visit  him  at  least  once  a  week,  and 
1  can  bear  testimony,  not  only  to  his  patient  suffering, 
hut  to  \us  cheerful  piety.  His  waking  hours  were  uni- 
formly employed  in  reading,  writing,  meditation,  and 
rjrayer ;  and  so  strong  was  his  sense  of  duty,  and  the 
iiabit  of  industry^  that  he  would  brace  up  his  system 
to  his  accustomed  work,  under  a  complication  of 
diseases  and  pains,  that  would  have  palsied  the  energy 
of  ordinary  minds.  Two  days  before  his  death,  I 
spent  with  him  a  most  profitable  hour.  He  was  sit- 
ting up — the  Bible  was  open  before  him,  at  the  14th 
chapter  of  Job.  '  I  am  soon  going  the  way  of  all  the 
earth,'  said  he ;  '  I  have  no  ecstacies,  but  am  calm — 


LETTER  FROM  REV.  SPENCER  H.  CONE.    339 

no  fear  of  death — my  hope  is  firm — I  know  in  whom 
I  have  believed — Christ  is  my  all,  and  in  all — he  will 
never  leave  me  nor  forsake  me.  This  14th  of  Job 
has  been  a  great  comfort  to  me  all  day!  Let  me 
tell  you  my  thoughts  upon  it.  The  Lord  made  me; 
he  selected  my  parents  and  my  country  ;  he  ordered 
the  time  when,  and  the  place  where,  1  should  be  born; 
I  had  no  hand  in  it;  and  he  has  fixed  the  bounds  of 
my  habitation  that  1  cannot  pass.  All  this  is  well. 
Just  so,  he  fixed  the  period  of  my  second  birth;  re- 
deemed by  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  called  out  of 
darkness  into  marvellous  light  by  the  power  of  his 
spirit,  he  has  been  working  in  me,  for  many  years,  to 
will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure,  and  I  know  he  will 
have  a  desire  to  the  work  of  his  hands.  He  will  ap- 
point a  set  time,  and  remember  me;  he  will  call,  I 
cannot  tell  how  soon  ;  that  is  no  business  of  mine ; 
but  blessed  be  his  name,  he  will  call,  and  I  will  an- 
swer him,  and  in  the  exercise  of  faith,  and  love,  and 
patience,  and  hope,  I  will  cheerfully  wait  all  the  days 
of  my  appointed  time,  till  my  change  come.' 

"  These  were  amonijthe  last  words  of  John  Stan- 
FORD — a  man  of  God.  Very  pleasant  and  edifying 
have  his  words  often  been  to  me,  and  it  is  my  fer- 
vent prayer,  that  the  memoir  of  his  life,  labours,  and 
death,  may  prove  a  lasting  blessing  to  the  cause  and 
kingdom  of  our  common  Lord. 

*'  Affectionately  your  brother, 

"  SPENCER  H.  CONE, 
"  Pastor  of  Oliver-street  Church. 
*'  Rev.  C.  G.  SOMME.RB, 

"  New- York." 


APPENDIX. 


20* 


PREFACE. 


To  record  the  history  and  virtues  of  the  departed, 
is  a  duty  which  every  generation  owes  to  posterity, 
and  is  the  appropriate  design  of  biography.  In  the 
subjoined  Appendix,  we  dt)  not  indeed  profess  fully 
to  supply  this  important  desideratum ;  yet  we  feel 
satisfied,  that  the  present  attempt  to  give  greater 
publicity  to  the  private  and  public  character  of  three 
eminently  devoted  and  useful  ministers  of  Christ, 
will  receive  the  approbation  of  the  denomination  by 
whom,  as  members,  they  were  universally  beloved 
and  esteemed. 

Eminent  men,  in  all  ages,  have  generally  been 
indebted  for  the  splendour  of  their  career,  to  the 
fortuitous  advantages  of  birth  and  fortune  ;  but,  it  is 
gratifying  to  contemplate  amongst  the  most  successful 
in  every  department  of  human  life,  the  names  of 
those  who  have  emerged  from  obscurity,  unaided 
either  by  wealth  or  an  illustrious  ancestry,  and  have 
risen  to  eminence  by  the  force  of  native  mental 
energy,  the  power  of  moral  principle,  and  the  blessing 
of  God.  In  the  history  of  such  worthies,  we  may 
read  Jehovah's  own  commentary  upon  the  words  of 
the  Apostle  Paul — "  Not  many  mighty^  not  many  noble, 
are  called ;  hut  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of 
the  world,  that  no  man  should  glory  in  his  presence,"^^ 
To  no  other  class  of  men  are  these  remarks  more 
applicable,  than  to  the  early  Baptist  ministers  of  this 


344  PREFACE. 

country,  and  to  thousands  in  the  same  denomination, 
who  have  subsequently  lived  and  died  as  champions 
of  the  cross. 

From  the  days  of  Roger  Williams,  the  American 
Baptists  have  been  respectable,  not  only  for  their 
number,  and  the  commendable  integrity  with  which 
they  have  explained  and  practised  the  sacred  injunc- 
tions of  the  inspired  volume  ;  but,  in  numerous  in- 
stances, have  they  been  men  of  profound  literary 
acquirements ;  and,  in  general,  they  have  every  where 
proved  themselves  to  be  men  of  sense.  As  the  minis- 
ters of  Christ,  not  a  few  of  them  have  been  equally 
estimable,  for  the  orthodoxy  of  their  creed,  the  extent 
of  their  knowledge,  and  the  heavenly  spirit  of  their 
unaffected  piety. 

The  memoirs  of  Williams  and  Baldwin  have  before 
appeared,  in  the  American  Baptist  Magazine,  but 
the  biography  of  Dr.  Furman  was  prepared  for  the 
Appendix  of  the  present  volume.  These  Christian 
memorials  are  presented  to  the  public  at  this  time, 
not  merely  as  a  just  tribute  to  the  memory  of  three 
illustrious  examples  of  self-taught  and  heaven  directed 
men — of  men  whose  zeal  and  ability  in  asserting  and 
defending  the  great  truths  of  religion,  were  equally 
conspicuous;  but  as  a  commendation  to  the  age  and 
country  in  which  they  lived,  and  in  which  they  were 
assisted  by  their  own  exertions,  and  the  blessing  of 
heaven,  to  overcome  obstacles  and  discouragements, 
that  nothing  but  perseverance  in  toil,  and  faith  in 
God,  could  have  enabled  them  to  surmount. 


E  M  O  I  R 


OF   THE 

REV.    JOHN     WILLIAMS, 


'*  I  would  express  him  simple,  grave,  sincere, 
In  doctrine  uncorrnpt;  in  language  plain, 
And  plain  in  manner;  decent,  solemn,  chaste, 
And  natural  in  gesture  ;  much  impress'd 
Himself,  as  conscious  of  his  awful  charge , 
And  anxious  mainly  that  the  flock  he  feeds 
May  feel  it  too;  affectionate  in  look. 
And  tender  in  address,  as  well  becomes 
A  messenger  of  grace  to  guilty  men. 
Behold  the  picture  ! — Is  it  like  ?— " 

Covyper, 

The  month  of  May  last,*  witnessed  the  sudden  departure 
of  the  Rev.  John  Williams,  senior  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church  in  Oliver-street,  New-York.  He  was  a  man  of 
whose  character  and  history  it  might  well  be  said,  in  the 
brief  and  beautiful  simplicity  of  inspiration — "  He  was  a 
good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith  ;  and 
much  people  icas  added  unto  the  Lord.'''*  Meek,  patient, 
and  zealous,  he  laboured  long  and  successfully,  and,  when 
unexpectedly  removed  from  the  sorrows  and  warfare  of  the 
Church  militant  on  earth,  into  the  light  and  gladness  of  the 
Church  triumphant  above,  he  left  behind  him  a  loved  and  a 
lamented  name ;  and  good  men  of  all  denominations  mourned 
at  his  death  as  for  a  father  and  leader  in  Israel.  Distin- 
guished for  quiet  usefulness,  he  was  no  less  remarkable  for 
his  unpretending  modesty ;  and  such  was  the  reserve  which 
he  always  maintained  on  the  subject  of  his  own  feelings  and 
history,  that  with  much  difBculty  were  gathered  the  materials 
for  the  scanty  notice  of  his  life  which  follows. 

*  May,  1825. 


346 


MEMOIR   OF    THK     RKV.   JOHN   WILLIAMS. 


John  Williams  was  born  in  Carnarvonshire,  Wales,  on  the 
8th  day  of  March,  (old  style)  1767.  The  name  of  his  f\ither 
was  VVilliam  Roberts,  from  which,  according  to  the  ancient 
custom  still  retained  in  some  parts  of  the  Principality,  of 
deriving  the  surname  of  the  children  from  the  Christian  name 
of  the  father,  he  took  the  name  of  Williams.  The  farm 
Plasllecheiddior  on  which  he  was  born,  had  for  many  genera- 
tions been  the  homestead  of  the  family,  a  race  of  hardy  and 
respectable  farmers.  At  an  early  age,  Mr.  W.  was  removed 
to  the  house  of  his  maternal  grand-father,  who  resided  at  the 
distance  of  a  few  miles,  and  with  whom  he  past  the  years  of 
his  boyhood.  The  family  into  which  he  was  thus  brought, 
as  well  as  that  of  his  father,  were  from  education  and  habit 
warmly  attached  to  the  Established  Church,  and  a  regular 
attendance  at  the  parish  church,*  was  one  of  the  first  lessons 
of  his  childhood.  Being  from  his  lameness  unfitted  for  those 
agricultural  labours  which  had  been  the  pursuit  of  his  fathers, 
and  would  else  have  been  his  choice,  it  was  desired  by  his 


*  The  pulpit  of  this  church  was,  at  this  period,  filled  by  a  man  of  sin- 
gular character.  At  a  time  when  the  evangelical  party  in  the  Church  of 
England  was  as  yet  weak  and  despised,  this  man,  from  the  strain  of  his 
preaching,  was  considered  as  resenjbling  them.  But  to  this  comparative 
purity  of  sentiment,  he  added  a  shameless  depravity  of  conduct;  and  the 
high  Churchmen  were  not  more  disgusted  with  tlie  purity  of  his  doctrine, 
than  were  the  pious  with  the  irregularity  of  his  practice.  In  the  pulpit, 
he  was  a  powerful  and  zealous  preacher;  in  private  life,  a  drunkard,  a 
gambler,  and  a  bully.  When  reproved  for  his  inconsistencies,  his  usual 
reply  was,  "  Do  as  I  say,  and  not  as  I  do;^'  and  it  became  a  proverbial 
expression  among  his  rustic  parishioners;  "  When  in  the  pulpit  he 
preached  so  well,  'twas  a  pity  he  should  ever  leave  it;  when  out  of  it,  he 
lived  so  ill,  'twas  a  pity  he  should  ever  enter  it."  This  singular  being 
was  a  frequent  visitor  at  the  house  of  Mr.  W.'s  grand-father,  and  Mr. 
Williams  often,  at  an  early  age,  felt  no  little  surprise  at  seeing  his  pastor 
come  up  to  the  door  reeling  from  the  sports  of  the  cock-pit,  (for  cock- 
fighting  was  one  of  his  favourite  amusements,)  and  bearing  on  his  face 
the  marks  of  bruises  received  in  some  drunken  fray.  It  seems  hardly 
credible  that  such  a  man  should  be  permitted  to  minister  in  any  church; 
but  those  acquainted  with  Wales,  as  that  country  was  not  fifty  years 
eince,  know  full  well  that  such  depravity  of  condiict  in  a  clergyman  was 
but  too  common.  The  chief  singularity  of  the  case  was,  that  without 
any  motives  of  interest,  he  had  adopted  sentiments  so  opposite  to  his  own 
conduct,  and  so  unpopular  among  his  clerical  brethren.  Impurity  of 
practice  generally  leads  to  heresy  of  doctrine ;  he  was  remarkable  for 
naving  deserted  the  opinions  without  abandoning  the  practice  of  thosa 
abandoned  and  dissolute  clergy  who  disgraced  the  retired  curacies  of  the 
Principality. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE    RKV.   JOHN   WILLIAMS,  347 

father,  that  he  should  receive  a  classical  education,  which 
might  fit  him  to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  lipiscopal  Church- 
But  even  at  this  early  age,  was  displayed  that  independence 
of  character,  that  modest  fear  of  becoming  burdensome  to 
others,  which  so  strongly  marked  the  whole  course  of  his 
after  life.  Unwilling  to  remain  dependent  for  support  upon 
his  family  during  the  long  period  which  might  elapse  ere  he 
should,  in  some  humble  curacy,  find  the  reward  of  his  studies, 
he  declined  the  proposal,  and  preferred  to  acquire  a  trade, 
by  which  his  industry  might  meet  an  earlier  reward.  To  a 
trade  he  according!}'  applied  himself,  and  for  this  purpose 
went  to  reside  in  the  connty  town  of  Carnarvon.  But  he 
had  not  long  been  employed  in  this  pursuit,  before  an  event 
occurred  which  changed  the  whole  current  of  his  thoughts, 
and  gave  a  new  colouring  to  his  life.  The  manner  in  which 
lie  first  was  brought  to  attend  the  ministry  of  the  Dissenters 
is  now  unknown.  It  was,  however,  under  a  sermon  preached 
by  David  Morris,  a  devoted  minister  of  the  Whitfieldites,  or 
Calvinistic  Methodists,  that  his  mind  first  found  ease  from 
its  burdens.  At  this  period,  also,  he  was  accustomed  to  say, 
that  he  derived  the  greatest  encouragement  and  benefit  from 
a  Welsh  translation  of  the  "  Come  and  Welcome  to  Jesus 
(vhrist,"  a  production  of  that  splendid,  though  untutored 
genius,  John  Bunyan.  It  was  thus,  that  the  writings  of  one, 
scarce  master  of  the  refinements  of  his  own  language,  were, 
under  God,  productive  of  a  strong  effect  long  after  the  death 
of  their  author,  and  in  a  language  to  him  entirely  unknown. 
Little  imagining  that  it  should  even  reach  the  mountains  of 
Wales,  Bunyan,  in  the  spirit  of  faith,  had  cast  his  work  as 
"  bread  upon  the  waters,"  and  after  many  days  it  was  "found 
again,"  and  became  food  and  nourishment  to  one  whom  God 
had  designed  for  much  usefulness.  It  may  well  be  supposed, 
that  Mr.  W.  always  retained  for  the  works  of  this  author  a 
grateful  partiality.  He  had  about  completed  the  nineteenth 
year  of  his  age  when  he  united  with  the  Independent  Church 
in  the  neighbourhood,  which  was  under  the  care  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Lewis,  a  man  who,  perhaps,  stood  at  the  head  of  his 
denomination  in  Wales,  distinguished  alike  for  solid  judgment 
and  profound  scholarship.  Under  his  patronage,  not  long 
after  his  union  with  the  Church,  Mr.  W.  began  his  pulpit 
rninistrations.  Beloved  for  the  gentleness  of  his  manners 
and  the  purr  ardour  of  his  piety,  he  was  considered  as  ex- 


348  MEMOIR  OF  THE    REV.  JOHN  WILLIAMS. 

hibiting  the  promise  of  great  future  usefulness.  Possessed 
of  the  affection  and  esteem  of  his  pastor  and  fellow-members, 
he  was  no  doubt  happy  ;  but  truth  was  to  him  yet  dearer 
than  earthly  friendships.  His  Bible  was  now  his  library. 
He  studied  it  intently  and  candidly;  and,  ere  long,  doubts 
began  to  insinuate  themselves  of  the  propriety  of  infant 
sprinkling.  Without,  however,  revealing  to  his  pastor  the 
workings  of  his  mind,  he  one  day  inquired  of  Dr.  Lewis  the 
meaning  of  the  passage,  "  Buried  icith  him  in  haptismy 
The  reply,  which,  as  coming  from  a  man  of  intellect  and 
learning,  sunk  deep  into  the  mind  of  the  youthful  Christian 
was,  "  1  really  think  the  Baptists  have,  in  the  interpretation 
of  that  text,  the  advantage  over  us."  His  doubts  could  not 
long  be  concealed,  and  Dr.  Lewis  laboured  long  and  earn- 
estly, but  in  vain,  by  conversation  and  the  loan  of  Paedobaptist 
writings,  to  remove  the  scruples  which  he  had  unwittingly 
encouraged.  Their  friendly  discussions  were  frequently 
prolonged  long  after  midnight;  but  the  modest  conclusion 
with  which  Williams  generally  summed  up  the  amicable  de- 
bate, was,  "  Had  I,  Doctor,  your  talents  and  your  learning, 
I  could  make  more  of  my  side  of  the  question  than  you  can 
make  of  yours." 

Mr.  W.  had  received  from  heaven  a  modest  independence 
both  in  thought  and  action,  which  never  permitted  him  to 
evade  his  duty  ;  and  he  was  endued,  alike,  with  strength  of 
intellect  to  perceive,  and  decision  of  character  to  follow  the 
truth,  lead  him  where  it  might.  The  Paedobaptist  authors 
which  Dr.  Lewis  lent  in  abundance  for  his  perusal,  were 
read  and  tested  by  the  Bible.  They  failed  to  convince  him  ; 
and  study,  reflection,  and  prayer,  brought  him  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  to  the  baptismal  waters;  and  he  became  by 
immersion,  a  member  of  the  Horeb  Baptist  Church  at  Gam. 
The  discussion  which  had  terminated  in  his  separation  from 
the  church  of  Dr.  Lewis,  never  weakened  the  esteem  which 
each  felt  for  the  other ;  and  to  the  close  of  his  life,  Mr.  W. 
continued  to  speak  of  his  former  pastor  with  a  warmth  of 
affection  which  time  could  not  quench,  and  distance  could 
not  lessen.  Mr.  W.  had  not  long  been  united  with  the  Horeb 
Church,  before  he  became  their  minister.  They  knew  his 
worth,  and  he  reigned  in  their  hearts.  Tt  was  said  of  bis 
people,  that  when  a  stranger  occasionally  ministered  among 
them,  they  never  were  satisfied ;  and  great  as  the  attraction 


MEMOIR  OF  THE    REV.   JOHN   WILLIAMS.  349 

of  novelty  must  ever  be,  none  could  with  them  be  compared 
to  their  stated  preacher.  Before  being  fixed  over  this  little 
flock,  he  had  been  advised  by  some  of  his  friends  to  enter 
the  Bristol  Baptist  Academy.  In  afterlife,  he  often  lamented 
his  refusal,  but  the  reasons  of  it  do  honour  to  his  memory. 
His  early  ministrations  had  produced  a  pain  in  his  breast, 
which  he  regarded  as  the  forerunner  of  approaching  con- 
sumption. Believing  that  the  years  which  remained  to  him 
were  but  few^  he  was  unwilling  to  waste  a  moment  in  pre- 
paration, and  accordingly  threw  himself  in  the  strength  of 
iailh,  with  all  his  imperfections  of  education  upon  him,  into 
the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry''.  With  a  perseverance  the 
most  devoted,  and  a  patience  the  most  untiring,  he  travelled 
and  laboured  in  season  and  out  of  season.  It  was,  perhaps, 
the  very  energy  with  which  he  laboured,  as  in  the  expectation 
of  death,  that  was  the  means  of  prolonging  his  life.  The 
Horeb  Church  was  composed  of  several  branches,  which, 
though  forming  but  one  body,  met  at  different  places  of  wor- 
ship. Mr.  Williams  travelled  extensively  through  North 
and  South  Wales,  and  collected  funds  for  the  building  of 
two  meeting  houses  for  his  affectionate  people.  What  their 
number  at  his  coming  among  them  was,  we  are  unable  to 
ascertain ;  but  from  Rippon's  Baptist  Register,  we  find  that 
in  October,  1794,  the  members  amounted  to  one  hundred 
and  forty.  By  means  of  these  journeyings,  he  became 
generally  known  and  respected  throughout  Wales.  He  was 
a  friend  and  fellow-traveller  of  the  celebrated  and  apostolic 
Christmas  Evans,  with  whom  he  continued  an  occasional 
correspondence  to  the  close  of  life. 

It  may  appear  strange  that  he  could  willingly  leave  a  flock 
of  whose  affections  he  was  so  entirely  possessed,  and  who 
earnestly  opposed  his  intentions;  but  his  motives  were  de- 
serving of  the  highest  praise.  The  tide  of  emigration  was 
at  this  period  fast  pouring  from  the  shores  of  Britain  into 
these  yet  infant  States.  Many  of  the  mountaineers  of  Wales, 
oppressed  by  the  grinding  weight  of  public  distress,  and  per- 
haps not  uninfluenced  by  the  revolutionary  principles,  the 
seeds  of  which  were  then  sown  throughout  Europe,  were 
abandoning  their  ancient  homes  for  the  comforts  of  what  had 
been  painted  to  them  as  a  foreign  paradise.  Many  of  them 
were  entirely  unacquainted  with  the  English  language,  A 
hope  of  being  useful  to  these  scattered  she€p,  a  desire  that 

30 


350  MEMOIR  OF   THK    REV     JOIIxN   WILLIAM.?. 

to  their  settlement  on  a  foreign  shore,  they  should  carry  wit^i 
thera  the  gospel  of  their  fathers  in  the  language  of  their 
fathers — this  hope  and  this  desire,  together  with  other  mo- 
tives, which,  were  they  puhlished,  would  throw  a  strong  light 
on  the  modest  reserve  and  independence  of  his  character, 
broufrht  him  as  an  emigrant  to  these  United  States.  He  tore 
himself  from  a  fond  and  a  mourning  people,  and  following 
what  he  believed  the  call  of  God,  came  forth  from  the  land 
of  his  fathers  like  Abraham,  knowing  not  whither  he  went. 
His  knowledge  of  the  English  language  was  but  small  indeed  ; 
and  although  when  a  boy  he  had  been  instructed  in  the 
arammar  of  it,  his  teacher  was  himself  too  ignorant  to  afford 
much  assistance  to  his  pupil.  On  the  25th  of  July,  1795,  he 
landed  at  New-York,  bearing  warm  recommendations  from 
his  church  and  friends  in  Wales,  and  among  others,  from  his 
former  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lewis.  A  younger  brother  ac- 
companied Mr.  W.  Within  a  fortnight  after  their  arrival  in 
the  country,  this  brother  died  most  suddenly  at  Schuyler's 
Mines,  near  Newark,  New-Jersey.  Mr.  Williams,  who  was 
then  at  New-York,  was  informed  of  the  distressing  event, 
and  immediately  set  out  travelling  on  foot  to  the  place.  The 
exertion  of  the  journey,  added  to  the  suddenness  of  the  blow, 
produced  a  violent  fever,  in  which  the  mind  was  scarcely  less 
agitated  than  the  body.  He  had  left  his  native  soil,  his 
family,  and  his  friends,  to  find  in  a  foreign  land,  and  among 
a  people  of  strange  language,  a  grave  for  the  companion  of 
his  voyage,  a  beloved  brother.  He  began  to  doubt  if  he  had 
not  rashly  ventured  where  God  had  not  called  him;  and  this 
consideration  seemed  to  raise  his  feelings,  which  were  natur- 
ally acute,  to  a  pitch  of  intense  agony.  It  was  but  the  pre- 
lude and  the  promise  of  after  usefulness  ;  it  was  in  a  manner 
the  parting  blow  of  the  adversary — the  struggle  in  and  by 
which,  his  heavenly  Father  was  girding  and  exercising  him 
for  his  appointed  task.  In  his  distress  he  prayed  that  one, 
though  but  one,  soul  might  be  granted  to  him  in  America  as 
the  fruit  of  his  ministry  and  the  proof  of  his  calling ;  and 
when  he  arose  from  the  bed  of  sickness,  he  arose,  if  possible, 
more  anxiously  earnest  than  ever,  in  the  work  of  his  heart. 
He  had  intended  to  have  settled  in  some  neighbourhood  in- 
habited by  Welsh  emigrants,  and  in  his  mother  language  to 
have  continued  his  ministerial  labours;  and  with  this  view, 
his  attention  had  been  directed  to  Beulah,  in  Pennsylvania, 


I 


MEiMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  JOHN  WILLIAMS.  351 

and  Steuben,  in  New- York.  In  Welsh  he  delivered  his  first 
sermon  in  America.  It  was  preached  in  the  meeting  house 
then  occupied  by  the  Rev.  John  Stanford,  in  Fair-street. 

The  Baptist  church  in  Oliver,  (at  that  time  Fayette)  street, 
was  then  composed  of  about  thirty  members,  of  whom,  how- 
ever, only  twenty  could  be  found,  who  met  in  a  small  un- 
finished wooden  building,  about  thirty  feet  square,  without 
galleries,  and  seated  with  benches  instead  of  pews.  This 
church  permitted  him  and  his  countrymen  occasionally  to 
use  their  place  of  worship  for  service  in  their  own  language. 
They  also  encouraged  Mr.  W.  to  attempt  the  acquisition  of 
the  English  language,  a  request  with  which,  after  some  hesi- 
tation, he  complied,  and  began  to  preach  in  English  for  one 
part  of  the  Sabbath,  on  the  other  part  still  continuing  the  use 
of  the  Welsh.  Through  every  disadvantage,  the  English 
brethren  saw  a  deep  and  fervent  piety,  and  a  native  vigour 
of  mind,  which  greatly  delighted  them.  They  had  made 
several  attempts  to  procure  a  supply,  but  were  unable  to  find 
one  in  all  respects  suitable.  They  now  began  to  fix  their 
hopes  upon  the  young  stranger,  and  at  length,  after  a  trial  of 
nine  months,  Mr.  Williams  became,  on  their  unanimous  re- 
quest, their  pastor  on  the  28th  of  August,  1798.  In  the 
summer  of  this  year,  the  yellow  fever  commenced  one  of  its 
most  dreadful  attacks  upon  the  city  of  New-York.  Mr.  W. 
among  others,  was  early  seized  with  the  contagion,  and  his 
life  was  despaired  of.  But  the  decisive  conduct  of  his  physi- 
cian, who,  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours,  drew  from  him  an 
unusual  quantity  of  blood,  proved,  under  God,  the  means  of 
his  recovery,  and  he  again  appeared  with  new  zeal  among  the 
people  of  his  charge.  Encouraged  by  the  attention  which  he 
€xcited.  In  January  following  the  little  church  substituted 
pews  for  benches.  But  they  grew,  and  the  place  soon  be- 
came too  strait,  and  in  1800,  the  meeting  house  was  enlarged 
to  sixty  by  forty-three  feet,  and  galleries  were  added.  In 
the  course  of  years  this  place  also  became  insufficient ;  and 
in  little  more  than  twenty  years  after  his  first  settlement,  Mr. 
W.  saw  raised  the  third  meeting  house,  the  present  edifice, 
a  large  stone  building,  sixty-four  by  ninety-four  feet= 

Great  as  was  this  success,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  he 
was  without  his  sorrows:  they  met  him  at  his  very  entrance. 
Some  even  among  the  officers  of  this  little  church  had  drunk 
;into  the  spirit  of  Antinomianism,  and  by  habitual  intempeiy 


352 


MEMOIR   OF  THK   REV.   JOIIxV    WILLIAMS. 


ance,  provoked  exclusion  from  the  privileges  of  church 
membership.  The  feeble  band  were  also  distressed  from 
without  by  their  disputes  with  another  small  church  in  the 
city ;  a  dispute  trifling  in  its  origin,  but  which  mutual  recrimi- 
nation had  heightened  into  a  contest,  that  it  required  the- 
most  persevering  exercise  of  Mr.  Williams'  conciliatory 
offices  to  terminate.  It  was  by  his  meekness  and  patience, 
long  and  assiduously  employed,  that  harmony  was  at  length 
restored. 

But  in  the  midst  of  his  sorrows  he  had  also  pleasures  of  the 
most  exalted  kind,  lie  saw  a  small  and  divided  body 
gradually  growing  into  strength  and  harmony,  and  a  pious 
and  zealous  people  gathering  around  him.  God  raised  up 
for  him  active  friends,  and  brought  into  the  church  men  like 
minded  with  himself.  In  a  few  months  after  his  settlement, 
he  baptized  Thomas  Hewitt.  In  October,  1799,  John 
Cauldwell,  with  his  wife,  was  added  on  a  letter  of  dismission  ; 
and  in  a  similar  manner  were  received  in  June,  1801,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Withington.  The  names  of  these  revered  and 
lamented  men  are  mentioned  beccruse  they  now  rest  from 
their  labours.  They  seem  to  have  been  raised  with  their 
pastor,  and  they,  with  many  others,  continued  to  cheer  his 
heart,  and  strengthen  his  hands,  until  the  year  1822,  when 
all  three,  in  quick  succession,  descended  into  the  grave. 

In  November,  1801,  Mr.  W.  was  united  in  marriage  to  her 
who  is  now  his  lamenting  widow,  an  event  which  contributed 
greatly  to  the  happiness  of  his  after  life. 

During  an  earlier  part  of  his  ministry,  the  salary  received 
from  his  people  was  insufficient  even  to  pay  his  board  ;  lie 
however  derived  assistance  from  the  trifling  funds  which  he 
brought  with  him  from  Wales.  But  he  was  not,  to  borrow 
an  expression  of  his  own,  one  of  the  "  disciples  of  the  loaves.** 
He  laboured  zealously,  because  he  laboured  disinterestedly. 
His  preaching  was  not  the  stinted  consideration  for  a  narrow 
salary.  His  exertions  were  labours  of  love,  and  they  brought 
with  them,  in  the  success  and  triumph  of  the  gospel,  in  the 
added  numbers  of  his  church,  and  in  the  visible  increase  of 
peace,  of  love,  and  of  zeal,  their  own  "  exceeding  great  re- 
ward." It  was  not  in  him  to  faint  or  to  murmur  at  the  scan- 
tiness of  his  support,  nor  yet  did  he  regard  it  as  an  excuse 
for  contracting  debts  which  he  might  be  unable  to  discharge. 
With  pecuniary  difficulties  he  struggled  in  silence,  thankful 


WEMOIU  OF  THE  REV.  JOHN  WILXIAMS.  353 

lo  see  in  the  growing  prosperity  of  his  charge,  that  the  bless- 
ing of  heaven,  if  not  of  earth,  was  with  and  upon  him.  The 
nnmber  of  members  continued  steadily  to  increase,  and  most 
walked  worthily  of  their  profession.  His  high  recommenda- 
tions from  Wales,  together  with  his  own  conduct,  gained  him 
new  accessions  of  friends  among  all  denominations.  He  had 
not  looked  for  applause,  he  had  not  laboured  for  it;  but  the 
reputation  of  being  a  wise  and  devoted  minister,  continually 
followed  him.  By  gradual  increase,  the  church  enlarged  its 
numbers,  till  it  counts  at  the  present  raeraent  more  than  five 
hundred  and  forty  members  within  its  fellowship.  During  his 
connexion  with  them,  Mr.  W.  baptized  about  four  hundred 
and  forty  members,  exclusive  of  others  baptized  on  Longf 
Island  and  in  other  parts  of  the  state.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  year  1823,  the  Rev.  Spencer  H.  Cone,  of  Alexandria, 
(D.  C.)  was  associated  with  Mr.  Williams  in  the  pastoral 
office. 

He  had  about  this  period,  from  various  causes,  begun  to  de- 
cline, and  the  feebleness  of  his  body  seemed  to  obscure  the 
energies  of  his  mind.     In  the  course  of  one  memorable  year, 
(1S22)  three  of  the  men  who  had  walked  with  him  all  his 
journey  through,  who  had  shared  his  sorrows  and  doubled 
his  joys,  were  removed  as  in  a  band  to  their  everlasting  home. 
Their  departure  left  on  his  n^ind  an  impression  which  could 
tvever  be  erased.     Others  still  remained,  not  their  inferiors  in 
love  to  his  person,  or  in  zeal  for  the  church;  but  those  who 
were  gone,  had  been  with  him  from  the  first ;  he  knew  them 
thoroughly,   had    proved  them   often,  and  they   had  never 
failed  him.     His  labours  were  still  continued  among  his  flock, 
but  decay  was  making  silent  and  irreparable  attacks  upon  his 
once  vigorous  constitution.     He   did   not   complain,  but  his 
appearance  betrayed  his  internal  a^lictions.     The  influenza 
which  prevailed  during  the  winter,  seized   upon  and  greatly 
enfeebled  him.     But  although  evidently  weakened  and  often 
prevented  from  preaching,  he  never  gave  up  the  hope  of  ulti- 
mate  restoration  to  health,  and  of  a  happy  renewal  of  his 
labours.     He  seemed  unwilling  to  entertain  the  idea  that  his 
present  sickness  was  smoothing  his  path  to  the  grave.     Such 
thoughts  his  friends  had,  indeed,  of  late  begun  gladly  to  dis- 
countenance, and  for  the  last  two  or  three  weeks  immediately 
preceding  his  departure,  he  seemed  gathering  new  strength, 
and  it  was  fondly  hoped  that  summer  would  complete  his 

30* 


JJ54  MEMOIR  OF  THK   HLV.   JOHN   M  II.LIAMS. 

recovery.  On  Friday  and  Saturday  lie  liad  walked  out,  on 
tlie  former  of  these  days  to  a  considerable  distance.  Tiie 
Saturday  night  was,  however,  passed  without  rest,  and  when 
he  arose  ontlie  morning  of  the  Sabbath,  he  seeniod  haggard 
and  broken,  his  eye  was  dim,  and  his  breathing  obstructed. 
But  neither  his  family  nor  himself  a|)i)rehended  any  imme- 
diate danger,  as  he  had  often  been  to  ;)j)j:("nrancc  much  worse; 
and  aliliough  liis  physician  was  sent  for,  it  was  without  any 
expectation  of  the  blow  that  was  so  soon  and  so  suddenly  to 
fall,  lie  came  down  to  breakfast  as  usual,  and  afterwards 
returned  up  stairs  to  his  study.  lie  there  spent  some  time 
in  conversation  with  Mr.  Williams,  a  young  liaptist  minister 
from  Vermont,  who  was  then  at  his  house,  and  in  reading  a 
volume  of  President  Edwards.  It  was  his  Treatise  on  the 
Aftections,  with  him  a  favourite  v.ork.  lie  remarked,  with 
a  faint  smile,  to  one  who  stood  by,  that  he  was  spending  the 
morning  of  the  Sabbath  in  a  manner  to  which  he  had  not  been 
accustomed.  In  former  years,  he  observed,  he  had  at  tiiis 
hour  been  enrployed  in  preparing  for  the  labours  of  the  day  ; 
now  he  was  enjoying  the  labours  of  others,  referring  to  the 
volume  which  he  still  grasped  with  a  trembling  hand.  Little 
thought  he,  and  little  expected  those  around  him,  that  the 
Sabbath  he  was  this  day  to  begin,  was  indeed /«r  different 
from  those  he  had  been  accustomed  to  spend.  Unseen  was 
breaking  on  him  the  dawn  of  a  Sabbath,  around  whose  bright- 
ness the  shades  of  evening  never  gather,  for  God  himself  is 
its  eternal  sun.  To  Mrs.  Williams,  who  came  into  the  room 
shortly  after,  he  said,  that  as  often  as  he  had  read  this  work 
of  Edwards',  he  saw  in  it  new  beauties  at  every  perusal. 
"  He  speaks,"  continued  he,  "  so  sweetly  of  Jesus."  The 
Kev.  Alfred  Bennet,  of  Homer,  New-York,  had  in  the  mean- 
while called  to  pay  a  friendly  visit.  After  a  little  conversa- 
tion, in  which  Mr.  W.  seemed  not  inclined  to  suppose  that 
there  was  any  danger  as  to  the  event  of  his  sickness,  he 
complained  of  having  passed  the  previous  night  without  shop, 
and  requesting  Mr.  B.  to  employ  himself  with  a  book,. walked 
into  an  adjoining  bed-room.  He  la}^  down,  but  soon  became 
uneasy,  and  expressed  a  wish  to  rise.  He  was  assisted  by 
Mrs.  W.  so  to  do,  and  sitting  up  in  his  chair,  passed  as  in  a 
moment  away.  When  Mr.  B.  was  called  in  from  the  next 
room,  pulsation  had  ceased.  Without  warning,  without  fear, 
ajid.without  pain,  he  had  in  aa  instant,  burst  the  fetters  of  the 


MEMOIR   OF  THE   RLV.  JOHN   A\  JLLIAMS.  35"5 

fiC'sli,  flung  aside  the  habiliments  of  mortality,  and  passed  at 
once  from  the  daikness  of  earth,  into  the  full  blaze  of  th.e 
New  Jerusalem.  Ere  he  had  even  thought  of  entering  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  he  was  wafted,  dry-shod,  over 
the  swellings  of  Jordan,  and  found  himself  standing  a  disem-. 
bodied  and  purified  spiiit  before  the  gates  of  the  city  of  God. 
If  it  be  possible  that  death  should  resemble  translation,  cer- 
tainly his  departure  bore  that  resemblance.  Without  groan 
or  struggle  he  ceased  to  breathe.  The  change  to  him  was 
the  more  ineffably  glorious,  from  its  unspeakable  suddenness. 
He  had  not  been  disposed  to  believe  that  this  sickness  was 
unto  death,  yet  was  he,  in  the  fullest  and  best  sense,  prepared 
for  his  end.  The  wise,  as  well  as  the  foolish  virgins  slum- 
bered and  slept;  with  them,  indeed,  he  slumbered,  but  with 
them,  also,  even  at  the  midnight  hour,  his  lamp  was  trimmed 
and  his  loins  were  girt,  as  those  that  wait  for  the  coming  of 
the  Master.  His  was  an  habitual  preparation,  a  preparation 
of  the  heart,  though  not  of  the  eye.  His  dissolution  was  not 
betokened  and  preceded  by  those  glimmerings  of  glory  which 
often  shed  so  rich  a  lustre  on  the  death-bed  of  the  faithful. 
It  had  no  slow  gradations  from  darkness  to  light, — no  day 
breakings  of  joyful  anticipation, — no  dawnings  of  increasing 
rapture,  growing  brighter  and  brighter  unto  the  perfect  day; 
but  like  the  change  of  one  who  lies  down  in  the  shades  of 
evening  and  wakes  in  the  noon-day  blaze,  all  was  suddenness 
of  ecstac3^  He  had  not,  as  from  the  summit  of  Pisgah,  been 
transported  with  clear  views  of  the  "  land  far  off,  and  the  kino' 
in  his  beauty;"  and  although  he  always,  by  the  eye  of  an 
habitual  faith,  contemplated  the  land  of  promise  as  Iving  at 
the  end  of  his  journey,  he  saw  it  but  as  through  a  glass  darkly, 
nor  knew  that  he  was  already  on  the  borders  of  his  inheritance. 

It  had  been  in  some  degree  his  wish  to  pass  suddenly  awav. 
He  had  prayed  that  his  life  might  not  be  lengthened  beyond 
his  usefulness.  The  prayer  was  heard.  His  labours  were 
fmished.  Ever  ready  to  give  in  a  joyful  account  of  his 
stewardship,  the  voice  of  the  Master  on  a  sudden  reached  his 
ear  and  pierced  his  heart.  And  ere  the  sun,  which  had 
shone  so  brightly  into  his  sick  chamber,  had  reached  its  zenith, 
liis  spirit  had  soared  beyond  "  the  fiaming  bounds  of  space" 
where  imagination  faints  to  follow  him. 

There  was  a  beautiful  adaptation  in  many  of  the  accompany- 
ing circumstances  of  his  death.     The  time, — the  morning  of 


S5C  MEMOIR  OF  THG  REV.   JOUN  WILt.IA1WS. 

the  day  of  the  Lord, — the  place, — a  room  which  had  often 
witnessed  the  secret  and  fervent  prayer, — the  morning  sun, 
^treaminof  down  its  golden  brilliancy, — the  resplendent  se- 
renity of  the  sky, — the  stillness  of  the  hour,  ere  dissipation 
and  riot  were  yet  abroad  in  the  streets  of  the  great  city, — all, 
in  their  peace,  their  brightness,  and  their  purity,  seemed  to 
unite  in  shedding  a  glow  of  holy  triumph  upon  the  last  moment 
of  the  departing  saint.  Moment  we  say — for  it  was  but  a 
moment;  and  a  hand  too  gentle  to  be  felt,  had  loosed  the 
silver  .cord.,  and  broken  the  golden  bowl;  and  he,  that  scarce 
an  hour  before,  had  spoken  of  uniting  in  the  worship  of  the 
congregation,  ceased  to  be  a  dweller  upon  earth.  The 
promise  which  the  dying  Withington  had  made,  to  be  the  first 
to  greet  his  pastor  welcome  home,  was  no  doubt  fulfilled. 

Fancy  may  perhaps  be  forgiven  if  she  finds  in  the  volume 
which  employed  his  last  thoughts  on  earth,  a  happy  adaptation 
to  the  circumstances  of  his  death.  The  sentence  on  which 
his  eye  would  seem  to  have  cast  its  last  look,  (Edwards' 
Works,  vol.  iv.  p.  201,)  was  one  of  the  many  in  which 
Edwards  is  employed  in  heaping  proof  upon  proof,  and  with 
all  his  characteristic  strength  of  collected  argument,  making 
"  demonstration  doubly  sure,"  in  shewing  that  it  is  possible 
to  have  strong  and  deep  feelings  of  the  excellency  of  the 
character  of  God,  and  yet  be  wanting  in  the  temper  of  true 
Christianity.  Directly  opposite  was  the  situation  of  his  mind. 
He  had,  in  a  large  measure,  the  genius  and  spirit  of  true 
Christianity,  although,  at  the  moment,  he  probably  knew  no 
remarkable  elevation  of  feeling.  He  proved  what  he  read, 
and  rose,  in  confirmation  of  the  truth,  to  that  heaven,  where 
the  "  affectiojis^'  never  wander. 

On  the  2"2d  of  May,  1825,  at  about  twenty  minutes  before 
ten,  in  the  morning,  he  entered  into  his  rest.  On  the  follow- 
ing Tuesday,  his  remains  were  interred  from  the  meeting 
house  in  Oliver-street,  after  an  affecting  funeral  discourse, 
pronounced  by  one  who  had  travelled  with  him,  in  the  Chris- 
tian and  ministerial  path,  many  days,  the  venerable  John 
Stanford.  "  The  rest  of  the  labouring  man"  af  God  "  is 
sweet,"  formed  the  basis  of  the  discourse. 

The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.  Few  mea  equalled 
John  Williams  in  the  consistency  of  his  Christian  character 
as  a  whole.  We  frequently  see  some  one  individ-ual  exceJ- 
lence  carried  out  into  glorious  exercise  at  the  expense  and 


MEMOIR   OF  THE   UKV.   JOITN   WH.MAMS.  357 

to  the  neglect  of  other  virtues  ;  but  in  his  character,  all  the 
traits  of  true  Christianity  seemed  to  unite  their  beauty,  with- 
out giving  to  any  one  feature  an  unseemly  prominence.  His 
zeal  was  ardent,  but  united  with  the  greatest  prudence.  That 
prudence,  instead  of  degenerating  into  craftiness,  was  accom- 
panied by  the  most  perfect  simplicity  ;  simplicity  was  tem- 
pered by  meekness,  yet  his  meekness  had,  for  its  basis,  strong 
decision  of  character,  and  unbending  firmness  of  principle. 
He  never  insulted  charity  by  oiTcring  to  sacrifice  on  her  altar 
the  truth  "  as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  and  yet  he  never  hoped  to 
advance  the  cause  of  truth  by  bringing  to  her  defence  bigotry 
and  intolerance.  He  loved  the  image  of  the  Saviour  where- 
ever  he  found  it,  and  it  was  not  the  barrier  of  his  own  sect, 
or  the  badge  of  another,  that  could  prevent  him  from  acknow- 
ledging his  union  in  spirit  with  those  whom  the  same  Re- 
deemer had  purchased  with  the  same  blood.  As  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  he  lived  the  gospel.  Charitable  to  the  poor 
of  his  flock,  profuse  of  his  labours,  and  constant  in  his  visits, 
it  was  his  meat  and  his  drink  to  do  the  will  of  his  heavenly 
Father,  in  showing  mercy  and  kindness  to  the  afflicted  and 
the  desolate.  He  carried  the  consolations  of  the  gospel  into 
the  meanest  hovels,  and  never  shrunk  from  entering  the 
deepest  cellar,  or  the  filthiest  den,  in  which  misery  and  grief 
had  enshrouded  themselves.  It  is  believed,  that  in  this 
employ  it  was,  that  he  imbibed  the  contagion  of  that  fever 
which  had  so  nearly  proved  fatal;  and  when,  during  the  last 
winter  of  his  life,  he  was  confined  by  the  weather  to  his  house, 
his  most  feeling  lamentations  were,  that  he  was  prevented 
from  seeing  the  poor  and  the  afllicted  of  the  flock.  In  hos- 
pitality, he  always  endeavoured  to  maintain  the  character  of 
a  primitive  bishop,  and  the  brethren  from  every  part  of  the 
country  were  ever  cheerfully  welcomed  to  his  table  and  his 
dwelling.  In  the  meetings  of  the  church,  he  is  described  as 
presiding  with  a  moderation  and  calmness  that  never  deserted 
him.  His  opinion  was  not  given  until  all  had  spoken;  it 
was  modest  and  brief,  and  moulded  with  the  kindest  defer- 
ence for  contending  opinions,  and  therefore  it  was  generally 
decisive.  No  man  sought  authority  less.  Never  an  action 
of  his  life  assumed  the  character  of  "  lording  it  over  God's 
heritage."  The  peace  of  the  church  gave  peace  and  comfort 
to  him;  when  they  were  agitated  he  was  distressed,  and 
many  a  sleepless  night  testified  the  anxiety  which  preyed  in 


S58 


ME.MiHPv  or   TtlE   llEV.  JOH\   WILLIAMS. 


secret  upon   his  spirit,  when   contfMition  and  bitterness  had 
sprung   up  among  the   household   of  faith.     It  was   to    this 
pacific,   gentle,  and  forbearing  spirit,  that  he  was  indebted 
for  much  of  liis  usefuhiess  and  much  of  his  influence.      His 
advice  was  the  more  regarded,  because  it  was  known  to  come 
from  a  mind  unbiassed  by  passion.     He  never  lent  himself 
to  a  party,  and  all  parties  honoured  him.     In  the  pulpit,  he 
was  not  invested  with  that  eloquence  which  delights  while  it 
dazzles  a  polite  audience.     His  language  was  not  at  all  times 
*'  furbelowed  and  flounced"   with   grammatical  nicety,  and 
his   gestures   wanted  the   gracefulness  of  practised  oratory. 
But  circumstances  like  these  were  overlooked  in  one  who 
never  seemed  to  enter  the  pulpit  but  under  a  view  of  the 
vastness  and  solemnity  of  his  charge.     His  spirit  was  in  the 
work.     His  exhortations  and  admonitions  were  earnest,  sim- 
ple, and  frequent.    He  had  about  him  that  fervour  of  feeling 
which  is  the  very  soul  of  true  eloquence,  and  although  he 
never  ceased  to  feel  the  disadvantage  of  preaching  a  language 
acquired  late  in  life,  his  devoted  zeal,  his  willingness  to  be 
as  nothing  in  the  hands  of  Him  "  who  is  the  fulness  of  all 
things,"   set  him  above  the  fear  and   beyond  the  reach  of 
puny  criticism.     Provided  he  was  but  understood,  he  seemed 
careless  of  the  garb  and  style  in  which  he  came  forth,   "  a 
dying  man  to  dying  men."     The  event  showed,  that  he  had 
chosen  the   right  path.     He  who  confounds  the  wisdom  of 
the  wise  of  this  world,  made  him  an   acceptable  and  useful 
minister  of  that  gospel,  which  was  first  preached  by  fishermen 
and  tent  makers.    The  careless  simplicity  of  his  style,  proved 
to  the  man  of  observation,  that  his  spirit  was  set  upon  the 
substance  of  his  ministry,  and  like  "  the  brave  negligence  of 
antiquity,"  delighted,  because   it   showed  a  niind   intent  on 
higher  thoughts  than  the  pointing  of  a  maxim,  or  the  rounding 
of  a  sentence. 

The  foregoing  observations,  let  it  be  remembered,  are 
applied  to  the  manner^  not  to  the  matter  of  his  discourses. 
Let  it  not  be  supposed,  that  his  sermons  were  the  unstudied 
effusions  of  indolence  and  ignorance.  He  was  in  truth  a 
close  student,  given  to  much  reading,  well  versed  in  theology, 
both  practical,  doctrinal,  and  polemic.  He  had  attentively 
studied  the  most  valuable  divines  of  England  and  America, 
both  controversialists  and  commentators.  Of  the  latter,  his 
favoujite  was  Henry,  and  his  pulpit  exercises  in  their  sim^ 


1 


MEMOIR  or  THE   REV.   JOHN  WILLIAMS.  359 

plicity  and  earnestness,  and  their  numerous  and  beautitiil 
allusions  to  familiar  occurrences,  seem  to  have  been  partly 
formed  on  the  model  of  that  admirable  writer.  He  made  no 
pretensions  to  learning,  but  of  theological  learning  he  was 
certainly  possessed  in  a  high  degree ;  and  the  size  of  a  library, 
gradually  acquired,  witnessed  his  fondness  for  books.  The 
truth  is,  that  he  devoted  much  labour  and  study  to  his  pulpit 
ministrations,  and  at  his  death,  he  left  behind  him  more  than 
two  thousand  manuscript  skeletons  of  sermons. 

His  studies  were  mingled  with  prayer.  In  prayer,  he 
steeped  the  seed  of  the  word,  which  with  prayer  he  scattered. 
Prayer  was  his  grand  weapon ;  but  there  were  certain  times 
in  which,  rising  as  it  were  beyond  himself,  he  seemed  to  wield 
it  with  more  than  human  strength.  Those  who  have  kneeled 
for  any  length  of  time  around  the  family  altar,  cannot  but 
remember  with  what  peculiar  unction  and  earnestness  he  came 
among  them  to  the  duty  of  family  prayer,  on  the  evening  pre- 
ceding the  Sabbath.  Always  fluent  and  vehement  in  his 
petitions,  on  Saturday  night,  his  spirit  seemed  to  glow  with 
warmer  feelings,  and  in  his  preparations  for  the  exercises  of 
the  coming  day,  his  lips  seemed  to  have  been  touched  as  with 
a  live  coal  from  off  the  altar.  It  was,  in  general,  late  before 
he  descended  from  his  study  into  the  room  where  the  family 
was  assembled.  His  countenance,  his  air,  and  conversation, 
all  bore  marks  of  his  having  enjoyed  communion  unutterable, 
"  that  the  world  knoweth  not  of."  There  was  a  burning 
urgency,  an  emphasis  of  humility  in  every  petition  that 
trembled  on  his  lips,  and  his  words  came  seemingly  too  slow 
and  too  weak  to  give  utterance  to  his  feelings. 

"  When  one,  that  holds  communion  with  the  skies, 
Has  fili'd  his  urn  where  these  pure  waters  rise, 
And  once  more  mingles  with  us  meaner  things, 
'Tis  e'en  as  if  an  angel  shook  his  wings ; 
Immortal  fragrance  fills  the  circuit  wide." 

On  the  evening  of  the  Sabbath  also,  when  the  labours  of  the 
day  were  closed,  he  seemed  to  enjoy  unusual  happiness.  la 
the  services  of  the  morning,  he  would  often  complain  of  con- 
straint; but  with  the  number  of  his  exercises,  (for  he  gener- 
ally preached  three  times  a  day,)  his  freedom  and  zeal  seemed 
to  increase.  "  One  Sabbath  nearer  the  end,^''  was  his  usual 
exclamation  before  retiring  on  that  evening  to  rest,  and  he 


3G0  MEMOIR   OP   THE   REV.   JOHN   WILLIAMS. 

always  seemed  to  speak  it  with  the  tone  of  a  labourer  de- 
liohted  in  the  employ  that  fatigued  him,  looking  forward  with 
pleasure,  but  without  impatience,  to  the  rest  of  the  weary 
and  the  home  of  the  way-worn. 

The  strength  of  his  mind  has  been  underrated  by  those  far 
his  inferiors  in  intellect.  He  had  received  from  heaven  a 
strong  natural  understanding.  He  had  much  of  what  Locke 
has  somewhere  styled,  "  large^  sound,  roundabout  sense J^ 
In  early  life,  he  had,  from  principles  which  we  cannot  but 
honour,  even  while  we  lament  their  application,  declined 
availino-  himself  of  the  advantag^es  of  a  classical  education. 
A  man  of  less  good  sense  would  have  affected  to  despise  the 
critical  learning  he  was  conscious  of  wanting,  but  such  was 
not  John  Williams.  He  often  spoke  of  neglected  opportu- 
nities, and  spoke  always  with  the  deepest  regret;  while,  to 
the  last  of  his  life,  he  was  a  supporter  and  promoter  of  Edu- 
cation Societies  for  the  instruction  of  pious  young  men  for 
the  ministry.  His  own  case  was  a  strong  instance  of  the 
truth,  that  the  Head  of  the  church  often  gives  to  intellect  and 
piety,  the  success  and  graces  which  he  denies  to  mere  human 
learning;  but  he  was  never  encouraged  by  success  to  act 
upon  the  principle  of  making  himself  a  blockhead,  in  the  hope 
that  God  would  make  him  an  apostle.  He  sought  learning 
eagerly  and  constantly,  and,  by  diligent  study,  acquired  a  mass 
of  general  information,  far  from  common.  In  the  structure 
of  his  discourses,  he  exhibited  great  judgment.  His  divisions 
were  few  and  natural,  yet  his  sermons  were  always  copious, 
The  allegorizing  taste,  which  finds  every  doctrine  in  every 
text,  he  disliked  too  heartily  to  imitate.  The  grand  feature 
of  his  mental  as  well  as  of  his  moral  character,  was  simpli- 
city. He  was  less  anxious  for  what  was  novel,  than  for  what 
was  true.  He  sought  rather  the  useful  than  the  pleasing. 
He  did  not  profess  to  hold  forth  the  truth  as  the  result  of  a 
train  of  elaborate  reasoning,  but  he  stated  the  doctrine  with 
the  simplicity  of  one  perfectly  convinced  of  its  truth,  proved 
it  briefly,  pressed  it  warmly,  and  left  the  rest  to  heaven.  In 
his  ministry,  his  temper,  perhaps,  led  him  to  dwell  rather  on 
the  beauties  of  the  gospel,  than  on  the  terrors  of  the  law;  to 
hover  rather  around  the  milder  graces  of  Zion,  than  amid  the 
darkness  and  thunders  of  Sinai;  but  he  delivered  iew  ser- 
mons, perhaps  none,  in  which  the  ungodly  were  not  pointedly 
addressed.     In  the  discussion  of  a  controverted  point  in  the 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  JOHN  WILLIAMS.  361 

social  circle,  his  good  sense  was  exhibited  in  the  same  un- 
pretending manner.  It  accorded  neither  with  his  habits  nor 
his  wishes  to  discuss  the  argument  at  length.  Some  well  put 
question,  some  pithy  maxim,  when  others  had  ceased  to  speak, 
expressed  at  once  his  wisdom  and  modesty.  He  might,  per- 
haps, have  been  unable,  from  the  defects  of  his  early  educa- 
tion, to  give  a  regular  account  of  the  series  and  connexion  of 
the  steps  by  which  he  arrived  at  an  opinion  ;  but  good  sense 
in  general  led  him  to  the  right  and  true  one.  It  was  enough 
that  he  reached  the  port,  without  recollecting  each  tack  and 
bearing  of  the  voyage. 

His  sentiments  on  what  has  been  called  the  modern  ques- 
tion, and  on  most  others,  perhaps  on  all  debateable  points, 
agreed  with  those  maintained  by  Fuller.  Edwards,  Owen, 
and  Fuller,  might  be  called  his  triumvirate  in  doctrinal 
theology.  He  had  studied  all,  deeply  and  repeatedly.  A 
favourite  class  of  writings  with  him,  was  the  works  of  the 
Puritans  and  Non-conformists  of  England.  From  the  more 
familiar  beauties  of  Henry  and  Bunyan,  up  to  the  sublimity 
and  grandeur  of  Owen  and  Charnock,  he  had  attentively 
perused  the  most  distinguished  works  produced  by  that  ven- 
erable race  of  confessors,  "  men  of  whom  the  world  was  not 
worthy." 

Of  his  own  acquirements,  he  thought  most  humbly.  A 
sermon  delivered  before  the  New-York  Missionary  Society, 
at  a  time  when  that  body  was  composed  of  various  denomi- 
nations, was,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  Association  Letters, 
his  first  and  last  effort  as  an  author.  Of  Missionary  and 
Bible  Societies,  it  is  almost  needless  to  say,  he  was  a  firm 
supporter  from  the  first  moment  of  his  acquaintance  with 
tiiem,  to  the  last  of  his  life* 

As  a  man,  a  relative,  and  a  friend,  to  know  was  to  love 
h;m.  The  unaffected  benignity  of  his  manners,  his  sincerity, 
and  his  kindness,  gained  him  friends  j  and  probably,  no  one 
who  had  once  been  his  friend,  was  ever  entirely  alienated 
from  him.  Indeed,  the  manner  in  which  he  carried  the 
temper  of  Christianity  into  the  duties  of  every  day  life,  gave 
ari  uniform  beauty  to  his  character  which  was  irresistibly 
{>ieasing.  With  acute  natural  feelings  he  combined  great 
f.>rtitude.  Christianity  taught  the  one  to  flow  out  in  continual 
out-goings  of  love  towards  mankind,  and  heightened  the 
exercise  of  the  others  into  the  most  uncomplaining,  childlike 

31 


3G2  MEMOIR  OF  THE   REV.  JOHN  WILLIAMS. 

resignation.  His  ministerial  patli  had  been  strewed  witli 
many  mercies,  but  it  had  had  also  its  thorns  and  its  roughness. 
He  spoke  often  and  feelingly  of  the  one,  scarcely  ever  of  the 
latter.  In  the  walks  of  public  and  the  sliades  of  jirivate  life, 
lie  exhibited  the  same  spirit  of  dependence  and  faith.  He 
v/as  always,  in  all  places,  and  through  cveiy  change,  and  at 
every  period,  the  same  mild,  meek,  and  patient  Christian. 
He  had,  in  a  great  degree,  what  may  be  called  oneness  cf 
character.  Above  disguise  and  free  from  change,  jealousy 
never  clouded  the  warmth  of  his  friendship,  passion  never 
obscured  the  wisdom  of  his  judgment.  Not  that  this  unifor- 
mity of  character  was  owing  to  a  stagnation  of  intellect  and 
feeling,  to  a  cold  and  heartless  nature.  Few  excelled  him 
m  warmth  of  relative  and  religious  feeling.  But  the  zeal 
which  ever  marked  him  was  enduring  and  equable.  Its 
movements  were  not  the  occasional  ebulitions  of  lieated 
passions,  or  the  effect  of  strong  external  excitement,  the 
babblings  of  a  summer  brook,  noisy  and  evanescent;  but 
they  were  the  gentle  and  the  continued  overflowings  of  a 
living  spring  of  charity,  ever  fed  by  the  love  of  God  "  shed 
abroad  within  his  heart."  It  came  down,  not  like  a  violent 
storm  sweeping  away  all  before  it,  and  levelling  the  weed 
and  the  flower  in  one  common  ruin  ;  but  it  was  a  calm  and 
steady  shower,  fertilizing  as  it  fell,  and  witnessed  in  its  effects 
by  the  beauty  and  freshness  of  the  scenery  it  watered.  He 
possessed,  in  a  great  degree,  perseverance  of  character,  not 
the  obstinacy  which  disgusts,  or  the  sternness  which  awes, 
but  a  settled  adherence  to  a  plan  cautiously  and  deliberately 
formed.  It  was  never  his  unhappiness  to  feel  that  restless 
vacillation,  that  constant  change  of  object,  motive,  and  pur- 
suit, which  ruins  all  influence  and  all  happiness.  He  did  not 
venture  rashly  on  every  splendid  speculation  that  presented 
itself;  but  when  he  had  once  embarked  with  serious  and 
}>rayerful  deliberation,  it  was  not  a  slight  tempest  or  a  passing 
cloud  that  could  drive  him  back.  This  temper  may,  in  some 
cases,  have  assumed  the  appearance  of  obstinacy,  but  it  was 
the  stubbornness  of  an  upright  mind  too  strong  to  bend,  too 
well  rooted  to  be  shaken. 

Such  a  character  could  not  but  command  respect,  evTn 
from  those  who  thought  differently.  Men,  proud  of  their  in- 
fidelity, have  done  homage  to  his  transparent  sincerity;  and 
scoffers,  who  hare  delighted  themselves  with  ridiculiug  the 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  JGIIxN  WlLLIAiMS.  303 

religion  of  others  as  hypocrisy,  have  been  known  to  eulogize 
him.  Their  eulogy  was  not  bought  by  unmanly  concessions 
and  cowardly  disguise.  He  spoke  earnestly  and  feelingly 
on  the  subject  of  religion,  it  mattered  not  where  or  before 
whom;  but  there  v/as  no  attempt  at  display,  and  they  who 
hated  !ils  principles,  were  awed  by  the  evident  purity  of  his 
motives.  His  gravity  was  as  free  from  all  tincture  of  morose- 
ness,  as  was  his  mildness  from  all  levity.  The  gentleness  of 
his  temper  seemed  to  beam  from  his  countenance,  and  words 
of  kindness  distilled  from  his  lips.  In  the  church  and  in  the 
xvorld,  he  was  eminently  a  man  of  peace.  He  sacrificod 
feeling,  convenience,  interest,  and  every  thing  but  principle, 
to  this  darling  object  of  affection.  And  among  the  frailties, 
which  must  ever  attach  themselves  to  humanity,  it  was  per- 
haps the  leadinjr  one  in  his  character,  that  he  yielded  too 
tamely  to  the  will  of  others. 

Humility  seemed  in-wrought  into  the  .very  texture  of  liis 
mind.  Ho  displayed  it,  not  in  loud  and  nauseating  profes- 
sions of  self-abasement,  but  in  a  reluctance  to  speak  of  hi^: 
own  feelings  and  his  own  doings;  in  a  willingness  to  be  tlio 
least  in  greatness  and  the  last  in  honours.  This  was  not 
assumed,  because  it  was  displayed  more  in  deeds  than  in 
words.  Wiien  he  would  occasionally  mention  himself,  he 
ahva3's  spoke  with  the  deepest  lowliness;  but  it  was  a  subject 
on  which  he  did  not  often  touch,  on  which  he  seemed  un- 
willins"  to  waste  a  thought.  He  scarcelv  mentioned  even  the 
success  in  his  ministry  which  had  delighted  his  heart.  To 
ail  the  varied  duties  of  the  pastoral  office,  he  seemed  anxious 
t,)  apply  the  precept  first  spoken  of  alms-giving,  "  Let  not  thy 
left  hand  know  what  th}^  right  hand  doeth."  During  the 
whole  course  of  his  ministry,  it  is  not  remembered  that  he 
ever  used,  in  a  discourse  from  the  pulpit,  the  pronoun  "  I," 
(as  applied  to  himself,)  or  that  his  sermons  ever  contained, 
with  the  exception  that  follows,  any  open  allusion,  however 
pardonable,  to  the  events  of  his  own  life,  or  the  workings  of 
iiis  own  heart.  Was  it  that  he  was  deficient  in  the  feeling 
of  what  he  taught,  or  had  he  no  stores  from  personal  obser- 
vation from  which  to  draw  1  The  contrary  was  eminently 
tlie  fact;  his  sermons  were  most  rich  in  Christian  experience. 
But  he  feared  all  appearance  of  preaching  himself  rather 
than  his  Master.  One  feature  was  ever  the  prominent  char- 
acter in  the  fore-ground  of  every  sermon.  He  held  up  the 
Saviour,  and  was  himsulf  concealed  in  the  shade. 


364  MEMOIR  OF  THE    REV.  JOIIX  V.'ILLIAMS. 

On  his  recovery  from  the  yellow  fewer  in  1798,  he  chose 
for  his  subject,  on  appearing  again  among  his  people,  the 
eigiith  and  ninth  verses  of  Psalm  cxvi.  The  same  text 
formed  the  basis  of  his  discourse  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday, 
March  20th,  the  last  sermon  which  he  delivered  before  he 
went  up  to  that  church  where  ministrations  and  ordinances 
are  at  an  end.  Its  selection,  in  the  latter  instance,  showed 
that  he  considered  himself,  in  some  measure,  restored  to 
health.  The  issue  proved,  that  the  thoughts  of  the  Lord 
were  high  above  his  thoughts. 

A  life  like  his,  however  barren  in  incident,  cannot  but  be 
most  fertile  in  instruction.  Is  there  a  youth  depressed  in 
spirit  at  comparing  his  own  advantages  and  attainments  with 
the  high  standards  around  him,  let  him  look  to  the  success 
with  which  God  crowned  a  faithful,  self-taught  labourer ; 
and,  blushing  for  his  own  despondency,  let  him  thank  God, 
and  take  courage.  Eloquence  and  secular  learning  are  not 
indispensable  ;  and  the  spirit  of  faith,  and  prayer,  and  love, 
that  animated  John  "Williams,  is  more  rarely  found,  and 
when  found,  is  worth  far  more  than  all  the  unsanctified 
learning  that  all  the  volumes  of  an  university  can  give. 
Forbidden  to  shine  in  the  walks  of  science,  let  him  who 
laments  the  ignorance  of  his  youth,  be  content  to  share  the 
obscurity  together  with  the  usefulness  of  those  holy,  devout, 
and  humble  men, 

"  Who  comfort  those,  that  wait, 
To  hear  plain  truth  at  Jvidah's  hallowed  gate: 
Their  language  simple,  as  their  majiners  iKeek, 
No  shining  ornaments  have  they  to  seek ; 
Nor  labour  they,  nor  time,  nor  talents  waste, 
In  sorting  flowers  to  suit  a  fickle  taste  ; 
But  while  they  speak  the  wisdom  of  the  skies, 
Which  art  can  only  darken  and  disguise, 
Th'  abundant  harvest,  recompense  divine, 
Repays  their  work." 

But  let  such  a  man  remember  too,  how  assiduously  the 
subject  of  this  memoir  toiled  to  supply  the  want  he  so  deeply 
regretted,  and  let  him  never  be  guilty  of  despising  knowledge. 
Is  there  one  who,  on  the  contrary,  hopes  by  fancied  elo- 
quence to  gain  and  secure  the  love  and  respect  of  his  people? 
To  him  let  this  humble  biography  speak,  'The  most  touching 
and  powerful  of  all  eloquence  is  the  eloquence  of  a  holy, 
harmless  life,  and  even  that  may  fail.* 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  JOIT>J  WILLIAMS.  36/> 

I^  there  one  who  foars  to  mingle  too  familiarly  with  tha 
fiock  under  his  charge,  lest  intimac}'  wear  off  that  dignity 
which  should  attach  itself  to  the  minister  of  the  gospel,  to 
him  would  we  say,  Few  men  visited  more  faithfully,  fulfjll- 
ing  to  the  very  letter  the  apostolic  practice,  "  preachini^ 
from  house  to  house,"  than  did  John  Williams  ;  and  few 
more  thoroughly  gained  and  more  devotedly  preserved  tiie 
afTections  of  his  congregation,  than  did  he.  We  almost 
fancy,  that  we  yet  see  him,  at  an  early  hour,  setting  out  on 
his  route  of  pastoral  visitation,  or,  at  a  late  hour,  returninsf 
from  it,  exhausted  with  fatigue;  and  we  gaze  upon  the  pic- 
ture, till  we  almost  forget  that  he  is,  where  the  flock  are 
exempt  from  sickness,  and  the  shepherd  from  fatigue.  Is 
there  one  whose  imagination  has  dwelt  upon  the  sublimer 
speculations,  the  more  romantic  and  shadowy  views  of  the 
Christian  pastorship,  till  he  has  become  weary  of  the  common 
and  every  day  employments  of  a  minister — till  his  mind  has 
grown  disgusted  with  the  tedious  rounds  of  sermons  and  visits, 
v?hich  he  must  travel  from  January  to  December; — until,  in 
fine,  he  begins  to  grasp  at  something  better  and  larger,  and 
more  adapted  to  his  talents?  Let  him  know  that  the  path 
of  humility  is  the  path  to  usefulness;  and  that  it  will  require 
all  his  wisdom  to  tread  it  without  deviation.  John  Williams 
had  no  splendid  genernlizations  to  talk  of,  and  to  labour 
about,  and  to  find  in  their  failure  an  excuse  for  the  neo^lect 
of  humbler  duties.  He  had  no  new  and  grand  views  of 
human  nature  to  propose,  no  novel  methods  and  machina- 
tions for  subduing  the  world,  that  were  to  sweep  away  at 
once,  the  stubborn  enmity  of  the  human  heart,  and  effect 
what  the  eloquence  and  wisdom  of  Paul  were  too  weak  to 
accomplish.  On  the  contrary,  he  knew  that  man  was  ever 
the  same— that  the  enmity  of  the  human  heart  was  ever  the 
same  ;  and  that  the  remedy  for  that  enmity  was  at  all  times 
but  one.  Instead  of  looking  to  some  new  system  of  theology, 
or  some  original  plan  of  sermonizing,  he  looked  to  heaven 
and  trod  the  beaten  path,  the  path  that  had  been  worn  bv 
the  feet  of  apostles  and  martyrs,  the  path  of  humble  faith. 
That  path  led  him  to  a  high  stand  in  the  church  of  God, 
He  had  gone  unto  his  task,  anxious  to  do  a  little  good  as  in 
a  corner,  and  blushed  to  find,  by  the  praises  he  received 
that  he  had  been  doing  more  than  his  louder  neighbours. 
He  knew  that  there  was  One,  without  whom  he  could  do 

3X* 


360  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV,  JOHN  WILLIAMS. 

nothing,  witli  whom  he  could  do  all  things.  To  that  One 
he  prayed  ;  in  His  name  stood  up  ;  in  His  name  went  forth  j 
with  His  name  began;  and  with  His  name  ended.  It  was 
the  Alpha  and  the  Omega  of  his  thoughts,  his  words,  his 
prayers,  and  his  labours.  In  the  might  of  this  single-eyed 
faith  he  laboured  and  returned,  bearing  his  sheaves,  rejoicing 
and  trampling  on  every  obstacle. 

In  this  imperfect  and  feeble  sketch  of  a  most  excellent 
character,  we  would  not,  that  description  siiould  swell  into 
panegyric.  Were  the  lamented  subject  of  it  now  on  earth, 
nothing  to  him  would  be  more  displeasing.  His  graces  and 
gifts  were  but  the  faint  reflection  of  light  from  above.  H© 
was  but  an  instrument  in  a  mightier  hand  ;  by  that  hand  he 
was  at  first  moulded,  and  by  the  same  hand  afterward  em- 
ployed to  build  up  the  church  of  Christ.  His  virtues  are 
held  up  not  to  be  praised,  but  that  thoir  exhibition  may 
awaken  others  to  emulation,  that  they,  "  beholding  his  good 
works,  may  glorify  his  Father  which  is  in  heaven,"  and  be- 
come "  followers  of"  him  who  "  through  faith  and  patience," 
is  now  "  inheriting  the  promises,"  A  life  so  modest,  would 
be  ill  adorned  by  indiscreet  encomium.  Were  it  for  us  to 
choose,  and,  unconsulted,  to  give  an  unasked  opinion,  the 
monument  that  is  to  mark  his  grave,  as  well  as  every  other 
object  intended  to  perpetuate  Iiis  memory,  should,  in  its  un- 
ornamented  simplicity,  be  like  him  whose  name  it  bears,  and 
Us  only  inscription  should  be 

♦'  JOHN  WILLIAMS, 

A  MAN  OF  GOD. 

Born  8th  of  March,  (O.  S.)  1767. 

Died  2-2d  of  May,  1825." 

Let  who  ivill,  claim  a  higher  eulogy  t 

To  the  private  Christian,  no  less  than  to  him  who  fills  the 
sacred  desk,  the  life  of  Mr.  W.  may  teach  the  wisdom  of  that 
Providence,  which  shrouds  its  paths  in  darkness.  The  eye 
that  saw  him  a  cripple  peasant  boy  on  the  mountains  of 
Wales,  would  not  easily  have  detected  in  him  the  seeds  of 
future  greatness,  the  stamina  of  intellectual  and  moral 
strength.  But  the  eye  that  marks  the  sparrow's  fall,  and 
guides  the  wanderings  of  every  mote  of  dust  that  dances  in 
the  sun-heanx,  saw  otherwise,     God  had  marked  and  chosen 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  JOHN  WILLIAMS.  867 

him  for  a  leader  of  his  Israel.  The  eye  of  an  unseen,  and 
as  yet  unacknowledged,  Providence,  was  on  his  early  path. 
Its  care  shielded  him  from  danger,  and  fixed  the  course  in 
which  his  character  should  be  formed.  The  hand  of  his 
heavenly  Father  raeted  out  to  him  the  afflictions  that  should 
exercise,  and  the  consolations  that  should  support  him. 
That  hand  brought  him,  at  an  early  age,  into  the  ways  of  his 
commandments,  and  led  him  in  safety  and  peace  in  all  his 
journeyings  through  his  native  land,  "  by  a  v/ay  that  he 
knew  not;"  it  finally  conducted  him  over  the  waste  of  waters 
to  a  foreign  shore,  and  there  fixed  him,  against  his  own  ex- 
pectations, as  a  city  set  on  a  hill,  a  burning  and  a  shining 
light.  That  light  is  not  yet  quenched,  still  his  example 
speaks.  His  words  are  yet  ringing  in  our  ears,  and  the  fruits 
of  his  labours  are  yet  before  our  eyes.  We  cannot  but  re- 
member him  with  lamentation  for  ourselves,  with  rejoicing 
for  him.  The  tears  that  will  find  their  way  at  the  recollec- 
tion of  his  loss,  are  brightened  by  the  thought  of  what  he  has 
been  on  earth,  of  what  he  is  now  in  heaven. 

Tlirice  happy  they  who  sleep  in  God, 
Securely  wafted  o'er  tlie  flood 

To  Canaan's  peaceful  shore : 
Whose  lives  were  as  a  daily  death, 
Who  walk'd  with  God  and  liv'd  by  faith, 

And  now  shall  die  no  more. 
Such,  gracious  Lord,  we  wish  to  be, 
Such  was  our  pastor,  now  witli  Thee. 

Toplady. 


MEMOIR 

OF  THjr 

y 

REV.    THOMAS    BALDWIN,    D.  D. 


Rarely  has  it  been  our  duty  to  record  the  personal  lilstory 
of  a  man  so  extensively  known,  so  universally  respected,  or 
so  tenderly  beloved.  Rarely  does  it  fall  to  the  lot  of  an  in- 
dividual to  fill  so  many  and  so  important  stations  in  the  reli- 
gious world,  and  to  fill  them  all  so  meekl\^  and  yet  so  ably. 
A  name  so  unsullied  has  not  often  been  written  on  the  tomb, 
nor  has  a  patriarch  often  been  gathered  to  his  fathers  amid 
so  wide  spread  a  burst  of  filial  lamentation.  Under  such 
circumstances,  we  are  well  aware  how  difficult  is  the  task 
which  our  situation  at  present  imposes  upon  us.  Well  might 
we  shrink  from  it,  were  it  not  our  duty.  We  know  how  ex- 
tensive was  the  circle  of  friends  to  whom  the  subject  of  our 
Memoir  was  known,  how  deep  and  how  affectionate  was  the 
interest  which  he  never  failed  to  awaken  in  those  who  ap- 
proached him,  and  that  every  one  will  expect  us  to  give  to 
the  picture,  the  living,  breathing  loveliness  of  the  original; 
and  we  well  know  that  to  do  this  will  be  impossible.  There 
was  in  Dr.  Baldwin's  countenance  a  peculiar  charm  of  ex- 
pression, which  no  painter  ever  succeeded  in  transferring  to 
the  canvass.  And  there  was  in  his  mind  a  striking  combina- 
tion of  varied  excellence,  which  every  one  has  felt,  but  which 
we  despair  of  being  able  to  recal  to  definite  or  even  to  vivid 
recollection.  We  shall  only  therefore  humbly  attempt  to  lay 
before  our  readers  what  we  have  been  able  to  collect  of  his 
history,  and  what  we  have  observed  of  his  character,  sin- 
cerely regretting  that  the  task  had  not  fallen  into  abler  hands. 
The  Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin  was  born  in  Bozrah,  Con- 
necticut, December  23d,  1753,  and  was  the  only  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Baldwin,  both  natives  of  the  same  place. 
Of  the  early  history  of  his  family  but  little  is  known.    It  may, 


370  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  T1I02IAS  EALDAVIN,  D.  D. 

however,  bo  observed,  that  iiis  father  was  attached  to  the 
military  service,  and  rose  to  distinction  in  the  then  Colonial 
army.     He  died  wiiilst  his  sou  was  an  infant. 

The  family  of  liis  mother  was  remarkable  for  talent.  Slie 
was  one  of  (eleven  sisters,  all  of  whom  were  distinguished  for 
unusual  acquirements,  and  for  powerful  intellect.  She  was 
also  a  woman  of  eminent  piety  ;  and  it  is  to  her  early  instruc- 
tions that  the  Church  of  Christ  is  indebted  for  much  of  the 
usefulness  of  that  son,  whom  from  a  child  she  brought  up  in 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

It  cannot  be  expected  that  much  should  be  recollected  of 
the  early  history  of  a  man,  who  has  outlived  so  many  of  the 
companions  of  his  childhood.  So  far  as  anything,  however, 
can  be  known,  the  traits  of  character  for  which  he  was  ia 
znanhood  remarkable,  were  very  early  developed.  From 
very  infancy,  his  temper  was  noticed  for  its  unruffled  serenity. 
His  motlier  used  to  observe,  that  never  did  she  but  in  one 
single  instance  know  him  to  betray  any  signs  of  impatience; 
and  when  on  this  occasion  she  expressed  her  surprise,  he  in- 
stantly replied,  "  Motlier,  I  am  not  angry." 

Another  trait  for  which  his  childhood  was  distinguished,  was 
love  of  justice.  Even  in  his  boyish  sports,  he  was  always  the 
enemy  of  oppression,  controlling  the  strong  and  supporting 
the  weak.  And  yet  this  sway  was  e.xercised  so  mildly,  that 
aaiong  the  pla3'maies  of  his  infancy,  he  obtained  the  blessing 
of  a  peace-maker. 

He  very  early  discovered  a  taste  for  reading.  Not  only 
did  he  devote  every  leisure  moment  to  the  improvement  of 
his  mind,  but  also  consecrated  to  this  object  the  hours  of  la- 
bour. Whenever  his  employments  were  of  such  a  nature 
that  one  of  his  hands  was  disengaged,  it  was  occupied  with  a 
book.  By  these  habits  of  incessant  application,  he  very  early 
acquired  a  stock  of  valuable,  though  miscellaneous  informa- 
tion, which,  combined  with  strong  ])Owers  of  original  thinking, 
seemed  in  youth  to  mark  him  out  for  unusual  eminence. 

At  this  time,  the  advantages  of  education  were  much 
less  extensively  enjoyed  in  New-England  than  at  present. 
Schools  were  more  rare,  and  the  mode  of  instruction  palpa- 
bly defective.  As  a  proof  of  this,  it  need  only  be  remarked, 
that  when  Dr.  Baldwin  removed  to  Canaan,  New-Hampshire, 
where  he  afterwards  resided,  he  was  generally  selected  on  the 
Sabbath  to  read  a  serraou  to  the  people  who  assembled  for 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  UEV.  THOMAS  EALCWIX,  D.  D.  371 

public  worship,  because  lie  was  the  only  young  man  in  tl:e 
town  who  was  sufficiently  educated  to  perform  tiiis  service 
acceptably.  Tlic  mention  of  this  fact  is  spflkicnt  to  show 
how  strong  must  have  been  his  early  bias  towards  intellectual 
improvement. 

It  will  tend  to  show  how  soon  the  most  striking  traits  of 
his  character  were  exhibited,  if  we  add,  that  those  who  knew 
Dr.  Baldwin  in  youth  have  remarked,  thai  he  was  then  pecu- 
liarly noticed  for  the  sprightliness  of  his  wit.  Though  always 
innocent  and  always  unofi'ending,  it  was  frequently  pungent, 
and  always  in  point.  Those  who  were  in  the  habits  of  fa- 
miliar intercourse  with  him,  will  well  remember  that  rich  vein 
of  most  playful  good  humour,  which  was  at  times  discoverable 
until  his  latest  day. 

When  Dr.  Baldwin  was  about  sixteen  3'cars  of  age,  his 
mother,  who  was  now  the  second  time  married  to  a  very 
worthy  and  pious  man  by  the  name  of  Eames,  removed  to 
Canaan,  New-Hampshire.  He  removed  with  the  family; 
and  this  became  for  several  years  the  place  of  his  residence. 
The  town  was  yet  unsettled,  and  the  waggons  which  trans- 
ported their  necessary  baggage  were  the  first  that  ever  tra- 
versed the  forest.  Mr.  Eames  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith, 
and  to  this  business,  as  is  usual  in  the  early  periods  of  a  set- 
tlement, he  added  another,  that  of  a  miller  ;  and,  if  we  mistake 
not,  that  also  of  a  carpenter.  In  these  labours  he  was  assisted 
by  his  step-son,  who,  until  his  marriage,  lived  constantly  at 
home,  enduring  the  hardships  and  sustaining  the  privations 
peculiar  to  early  settlers. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two,  on  the  22d  of  September,  1775, 
he  was,  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Huntington,  of  Norwich,  Con- 
necticut, with  whom  he  was  happily  united  until  her  death, 
February  lllh,  lSl-2. 

The  town  of  Canaan  was  rapidly  peopled  by  emigrants 
from  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts.  Before  he  was  thirty. 
Dr.  Baldwin  was  elected  to  represent  it  in  the  General  Court. 
Of  his  reputation  as  a  legislator,  we  have  no  certain  informa- 
tion. It  is  evident,  however,  that  his  success  was  such  as  to 
gratify  his  constituents ;  for  they  repeatedly  re-elected  him. 
If  we  mistake  not,  they  did  not  cease  to  choose  him,  until, 
feeling  the  importance  of  his  ministerial  labours,  he  had  de- 
cidedly expressed  his  determination  to  serve  as  a  legislator 
no  longer. 


372  MEJIOIR  OF  THE    PvEY.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

We  are  happy  to  have  arrived  at  a  period  in  this  memoir, 
at  which  we  are  enabled  to  lefer  to  a  manuscript  written  by 
Dr.  Baldwin  himself,  during  the  few  last  years  of  his  life. 
It  commences  with  the  relation  of  the  events  connected  with 
bis  religious  experience,  and  abruptly  terminates  with  the 
time  of  his  arrival  in  Boston.  As  it  is  numbered  "Memoir, 
IV ).  2,"  it  is  probable  that  either  the  former  part  was  written 
and  has  been  irrecoverably  lost,  or  else  that  the  author  com- 
menced with  that  part  which  most  deeply  interested  him, 
with  the  intention  of  completing  the  beginning  at  some  other 
period.  This  narrative  comprises  about  ten  years  of  his  life ; 
und  as  it  hcis  been  very  kindly  placed  in  our  hands  by  his 
alilicted  widow,  we  shall  make  no  apology  for  introducing  it 
at  once  to  our  readers.  We  do  this  with  the  greater  pleasure, 
not  only  because,  in  a  very  simple  dress,  it  presents  some  of 
the  most  interesting  events  in  the  religious  history  of  its  much 
beloved  author,  but  also  because  it  gives  us  an  unusually 
vivid  idea  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  that  part  of  New- 
England  at  the  time  of  our  revolutionary  contest.  The  au- 
tograph memoir  commences  as  follows  : — 

"  In  the  year  1780,  I  have  reason  to  hope  I  was  brought 
to  the  saving  knowledge  of  the  truth.  The  methods  by  which 
this  change  was  effected  I  will  endeavour  to  state  with  as 
much  particularity  as  may  be  necessary  in  this  place. 

"  Before  1  proceed,  I  would,  however,  just  remark,  that 
I  have  no  reason  to  believe  that  I  had  ever  been  the  subject 
of  such  religious  impressions  as  many  others  have  during  my 
early  years.  I  had  indeed  a  general  conviction  of  the  reality 
of  revealed  religion,  and  that  I  had  no  lot  nor  part  in  it. 
When,  however,  my  conscience  accused  me  of  living  without 
God  and  without  hope  in  the  Vvorld,  I  was  usually  able  to 
pacify  it  by  promises  of  future  amendment,  or  by  recurring 
to  the  plea  of  inability.  Often  when  I  had  spent  an  evening 
until  a  late  hour  in  mirth  and  dancing,  when  I  came  to  lay 
my  head  upon  my  pillow,  the  thought  of  sudden  death  would 
intrude  into  my  mind.  Such  questions  as  these  would  often 
force  themselves  upon  me: — '  What  if  you  should  die  before 
morning]'  '  What  if  the  judgment  day  should  come  V  The 
answer  was,  '  I  am  unprepared  for  either.'  These  thoughts 
at  times  caused  me  to  weep  freely.  But  perhaps  when  the 
morning  returned,  all  was  forgotten.  Although  I  resolved  at 
some  future  time  to  be  religious,  (for  I  supposed  I  could  be 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.         373 

religious  at  any  time)  yet  I  never  fixed  that  time  as  near  at 
hand.  There  always  appeared  some  peculiar  obstacles  in 
the  way,  and  some  sinful  proprnsilies  to  be  indulged,  before 
I  could  think  of  being  religious.  Thus  I  lived  from  year  to 
year,  in  a  state  of  awi'ul  security  and  forgctfulnoss  of  God. 

•'  My  conscience  frequently  accused  me  of  the  sinfulness 
of  m}^  heart  and  conduct ;  but  such  were  the  charms  of  plea- 
sure, that  I  could  not  persuade  myself  to  give  them  up.  Yet 
while  in  this  vain  pursuit  after  the  j)lcasures  of  the  world,  I 
was  often  forced  to  serious  reflection.  At  times,  I  appeared 
to  myself  to  be  awfully  hardened,  and  have  thought,  whea 
walking  or  riding  alone  on  a  dark  evening,  that  I  really 
wished  a  light  from  heaven  to  shine  around  me  as  it  did 
around  Saul,  when  on  his  way  to  Damascus.  At  other  times, 
I  have  had  such  a  sense  of  my  miserable  condition,  that  I 
thought  I  should  be  willing  to  suffer  a  severe  fit  of  sickness, 
if  it  mioht  be  the  means  of  brinj^ing  me  to  God.  These 
feelings  were,  however,  only  transient,  and  the  moment  they 
subsided,  the  same  rage  for  vanity  would  return. 

"  One  reason  which  induced  mo  to  be  willing  to  suffer 
sickness  or  some  other  calamity  from  the  hand  of  God,  waS 
a  foolish  dread  of  what  the  world  would  say  of  me.  *  How,' 
said  I  to  myself,  '  should  I  become  religious,  could  I  hold 
up  my  head  before  any  of  my  young  companions,  who  might 
inquire  what  was  the  occasion  of  my  being  so  dull,'  I 
thought  I  could  never  have  fortitude  enough  to  tell  them  I 
was  concerned  about  my  precious  soul.  What  a  pitiful  ex- 
cuse for  living  in  sin  !" 

Here  we  trust  we  shall  be  excused  for  interrupting  for  a 
moment  the  course  of  this  interresting  narrative,  to  remark 
liow  siniple  and  affecting  a  discovery  is  here  made  of  the 
depravity  of  the  human  heart,  and  its  total  alienation  from 
God-  We  see  how  a  man  can  be  perfectly  convinced  of  the 
reality  of  religion,  of  his  obligations  to  God,  and  of  the  con- 
sequences of  disobedience,  and  yet  live  in  wilful  neglect  of 
ever3^duty;  pursuing  tlio  course  which  he  knows  the  Eternal 
God  has  forbidden,  because  if  he  did  otherwise,  man  might 
laugh  at  him.  Well  did  the  Saviour  say  of  such  men,  **  I 
know  3'ou  that  ye  have  not  the  love  of  God  in  you;"  and 
aptly  did  he  allude  to  one  great  cause  of  their  disobedience, 
in  that  question,  "  How  can  ye  believe,  who  receive  honour 
one  of  another?'     And  we  would  ask,  Do  not  the  preceding 

32 


374         MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  CALDWIN,  D.  D. 

paragraphs  delineate  very  exactly  the  moral  condiiion  of 
many  of  our  readers,  and  of  a  very  large  portion  of  those 
who,  with  very  respectful  attention,  hear  the  gospel  every 
Sabbath  day  1     But  to  resume  the  narrative  : — 

"  In  the  month  of  November,  1777,  God  in  his  holy 
providence  was  pleased  to  take  from  me  my  first-born  by 
death;  a  dear  little  son  between  six  and  seven  months  old. 
This  painful  event  was  rendered  more  distressing,  both  to 
ine  and  my  dear  companion,  by  the  circumstance  of  my  being 
absent  at  the  time.  I  had  left  my  family  eight  or  ten  days 
before,  all  in  usual  health  ;  and  when  having  accomplished 
my  business,  and  returning  homo,  was  met  by  a  friend,  who 
informed  me  that  my  child  was  dead  and  buried. 

"  As  oppressed  with  grief  I  rode  silently  homeward,  the 
thought  struck  me — '  This  is  the  voice  of  God  to  call  me  to 
repentance.  What  excuse  can  I  now  havel  Under  the  ap- 
paarance  of  mourning  for  my  child,  I  may  become  religious, 
and  no  one  will  know  it.'  Accordingly  I  set  myself  about 
it,  and  for  the  first  time,  attempted  to  pray  in  my  family.  I 
felt  very  solemn,  and  thought  I  was  very  sincere.  I  concluded 
T  should  never  more  yield  my  heart  to  vanity  as  I  had  done 
before.  My  devotion  was  continued  morning  and  evening  ; 
and  I  believe  for  the  space  of  two  or  three  weeks,  I  was 
aever  seen  to  smile.  I  remember  that  once  I  felt  much 
remorse,  after  having,  in  an  unguarded  moment,  been  sur- 
])rised  into  laughter.  At  the  same  time  indulging  serious 
reflections,  I  was  not  unfrequently  much  affected.  But,  alas ! 
it  was  only  the  sorrow  of  the  world.  The  impression  made 
upon  my  mind  by  the  death  of  a  darling  babe,  began  gradu- 
ally to  wear  away.  In  a  little  time  my  seriousness  was  gone, 
and  I  returned  to  my  wonted  cheerfulness  and  gaiety. 

"  All  that  now  remained  of  my  seriousness  that  had  the 
appearance  of  religion  was,  a  mere  lifeless  formality  in 
prayer.  I  look  back  with  shame  and  remorse  to  this  period 
of  my  life,  when,  notwithstanding  my  constant  but  unmeaning 
prayers,  I  lived  in  the  eager  pursuit  of  the  vanities  of  the 
world,  only  with  perhaps  a  little  more  concealment  than  I 
had  formerly  done.  I  had  early  imbibed  a  thirst  for  honour. 
1  knew  this  could  not  be  gratified  without  preserving  a  fair 
reputation.  But  such  was  my  love  of  gay  company,  mirth, 
and  dancing,  that  I  went  as  far  as  my  respect  for  character 
would  at  all  permit.     I  tremble  to  think  of  the  teraptatio»s 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.         375 

and  snares  which  then  beset  my  patli.  But  for  the  restrain- 
ing power  of  a  merciful  God,  I  had  certainly  been  ruined. 

"  In  the  summer  of  1780,  my  mind  became  at  times  very 
uneasy.  I  had  serious  thoughts  about  religion,  yet  did  not 
.feel  determined  to  set  about  it  in  earnest.  I  had  a  decided 
conviction  that  there  must  be  a  change  of  heart,  or  all  the 
outward  forms  of  religion  would  be  unavailing,  I  would 
often  ask  myself.  What  is  meant  by  being  born  again?  I 
remember  once  having  attempted  to  take  refuge  in  this. 
It  is  said.  Whosoever  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  is 
born  of  God.  I  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ ;  am  I  not 
therefore  born  of  God  1  But  I  perceived  that  my  belief  had 
no  effect  either  upon  my  heart  or  life.  I  was  also  fully 
aware  that  Christians  possessed  something  of  which  I  was 
destitute.  They  told  of  joys  and  sorrows  which  I  had  never 
felt. 

"  In  the  month  of  September,  God  in  his  holy  providence 
sent  two  Baptist  preachers  into  the  town.  They  preached 
several  lectures,  and  spent  one  Lord's  day  in  the  neighbour- 
hood. Several  persons  appeared  greatly  alarmed  by  their 
preaching.  I  thought  they  were  good  men,  but  loo  illiterate 
to  edify  me.  I  however  felt  very  solemnly  under  their 
preaching,  and  perceived  that  others  felt  yet  more  than 
myself.  Some  professors  of  religion  were  very  much  aroused, 
and  several  young  persons  were  very  deeply  impressed." 

Dr.  Baldwin  proceeds  to  mention  the  increased  solemnity 
which  rested  upon  his  mind  whilst  attending  several  religions 
meetings,  which  were  held  about  this  time  in  the  neighbour- 
hood. The  narrative  then  continues: — "In  the  evening 
there  was  to  be  a  conference  at  a  private  house.  I  attended. 
The  meeting  was  opened  by  prayer  ;  after  which  two  persons 
came  forward  and  told  what  God  had  done  for  their  souls. 
One  of  them,  a  sensible  and  well  informed  man,  gave  a  very 
striking  account  of  his  conversion  to  God.  Almost  the  whole 
assembly  was  in  tears.  I  felt  very  tenderly,  but  in  a  great 
measure  refrained  from  weeping.  Soon,  however,  after  this 
a  moving  scene  commenced.  A  very  pious  man  came,  and 
falling  down  on  his  knees  before  me,  addressed  me  as  fol- 
lows: — '  Neighbour  Baldwin,  can  you  forgive  me,  can  you 
forgive  me,  that  I  have  lived  so  little  like  a  Christian,  and 
that  I  have  set  no  better  an  example  before  you?'  I  trem- 
bled like  Felix,  and  replied,  '  I  have  nothing  against  you 


376         MEMOIR  OF  THE    REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

moro  tlian  I  have  against  my  own  soul.*  lie  followed  these 
remarks  wilh  the  nio-st  soluinn  cntreatit^s  and  feeding  exhoi*- 
tations  to  turn  unto  God  and  live.  Allhongh  in  my  ])roud 
bcart  I  had  resolved  never  to  shed  a  tear  in  pnhlic,  all  my 
resolutions  were  utterly  unavailing.  In  spile  of  every  effort, 
I  trembled  and  wept,  arid  changed  my  seat  to  avoid  obser- 
vation. My  extreme  Ligitalion,  however,  soon  discovered 
itself.  Several  persons  spoke  to  me  ;  mr«ny  rejoiced  and 
many  were  affected  at  seeing  that  my  mind  was  impressed. 
When  asked  to  state  my  feelings,  I  could  only  say  with 
Agur,  '  I  am  more  brutish  than  any  uvu)y  and  have  rot  the 
understanding  of  a  man.'  I  thought  I  earnesily  desired  con- 
version ;  but  how  to  attain  it,  how  to  obtain  an  interest  in 
Christ,  I  did  not  know.  I  at  first  apprehended  I  should  in 
some  way  have  a  discovery  of  Christ  on  the  cross,  and  that 
this  would  Gfivo  mo  comfort.  Again  I  thought  I  was  now  so 
distressed,  that  God  would  soon  give  me  relief.  I  cried; 
but,  alas!  all  seemed  in  vain. 

*'  Although  I  had  continued  my  cold,  pharisaical  prayers 
from  the  time  before  mentioned,  yet  till  this  night  I  had 
never  conversed  with  my  family  on  the  subject  of  personal 
religion.  But  now  I  entered  wilh  seriousness  into  the  sub- 
ject ;  and  after  disclosing  my  feelings,  expressed  my  resolu- 
tion, that  let  others  do  what  they  would,  I  was  determined 
to  seek  the  Lord.  1  found  much  tenderness  in  attempting 
to  pray  before  retiring  to  rest.  I  had  some  concern  lest 
these  impressions  should  leave  me,  and  my  mind  become  yet 
wore  hardened  than  before.  I  awoke  b(  fore  the  day  dawned, 
aad  found  my  mind  still  deeply  impressed.  I  cannot  say  as 
many  have,  that  I  strove  to  hhake  off  my  convictions  ;  on 
the  contrary,  my  great  anxiety  was  to  increase  them  ;  for 
this  was  the  way  in  which  I  was  looking  for  deliverance. 
My  distress  continuing  day  and  night,  T  began  to  hope  that 
God  had  begun  the  work,  and  that  he  would  carry  it  on. 
At  times  I  experienced  great  tenderness,  and  often  both  in 
public  and  private  wept  bitterly. 

"  I  was  satisfied  tliat  my  prayers  were  exceedingly  de- 
fective. They  appeared  so  sinfid,  that  I  thought  God  would 
not  regard  them.  But  as  Christians  appeared  to  be  in 
earnest  for  me,  at  times  I  was  encouraged  to  believe  that 
God  would  hear  them  in  my  behalf.  Although  I  was  not 
called  by  name,  yet  I  thought  I  knew  when  they  presentid 


MEMOIR  OF  TUE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.  377 

ray  case  before  the  Lord.*  At  one  of  these  seasons  of  prayer, 
it  seemed  to  me  that  my  case  was  wholly  neglected.  1  was 
ready  to  say  with  David,  '  Refuge  faileth  me,  and  no  man 
careth  far  my  soul.'  I  concluded  that  if  the  saints  were  not 
permitted  to  pray  for  me,  my  case  was  desperate.  Despon- 
dency seized  me,  and  I  began  to  fear  that  all  was  over  with 
my  soul.  Yet  at  times  I  could  not  but  hope,  that  God  would 
at  some  time  or  other  bring  me  out  of  this  distress,  and  that 
I  should  yet  praise  him. 

"  My  distress  did  not  arise  so  much  from  the  fear  of  pun- 
ishment, as  from  a  sense  of  having  abused  divine  goodness 
and  mercy.  All  my  hopes  from  any  thing  in  myself  seemed 
to  vanish.  T  had  been  accustomed  to  think  that  1  was  not 
so  great  a  sinner  as  some  others,  because  I  had  been  addicted 
to  no  degrading  vice.  But  I  now  saw  that  my  morality,  fair 
as  it  had  appeared,  was  most  wretchedly  defective:  and  that 
my  prayers  had  been  no  better  than  solemn  mockery.  I 
greatly  feared  that  my  repentance  was  not  genuine  ;  that  it 
would  ultimately  prove  no  more  than  the  workings  of  a  natural 
liearl  writhing  under  the  lashings  of  conscience.  Often  would 
I  sa}^  What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ]  IIow  can  I  come  to 
Christ?  O  that  some  man  would  guide  me  !  Thus  I  went 
mourning  from  day  to  day  as  without  the  light  of  the  sun. 
The  world  had  lost  its  charms.  The  pleasures  that  had 
heretofore  appeared  so  fascinating,  now  seemed  so  extremely 
insipid,  that  I  wondered  I  could  ever  haye  thought  so  highly 
©f  them.  They  not  only  appeared  empty  and  trifling,  but  to 
a  great  degree  disgusting. 

"  Afrer  spending  an  anxious  and  almost  sleepless  night,  I 
arose  just  after  the  dawning  of  the  day,  and  resolved  once 
more  to  pray.  1  said  with  Jonah,  '  I  will  look  again  towards 
his  holy  temple.'  I  knelt  down,  and  in  a  few  broken  sen- 
tences, tried  to  send  my  cries  to  the  mercy-seat.  I  felt  con- 
vinced that  I  had  done  nothing  to  merit  the  divine  favour, 


*  In  this  supposition  it  is  probable  that  the  author  was  not  mistaken. 
An  aged  minister  by  whom  Dr.  Baklwin  was  baptized,  once  mentioned 
that  several  Christians  in  the  neighbourhood,  observing  his  prominent 
talents  and  amiable  disposition,  had  agreed  together  to  make  his  conver- 
sion a  special  subject  of  prayer.  This  agreement  was  formed  while  lie 
was  yet  thoughtless,  and  we  may  well  suppose  that  their  desires  were 
etreagthened  wlien  they  saw  so  pleasing  a  hope  of  their  fulfilment. 


278         MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

nor  could  I  do  any  thinjr,  thouGfli  I  were  eternally  to  peris>J, 
This  I  thought  1  conlcssod  to  the  Lord  ;  and  as  my  last  re- 
fuge, endeavoured  to  cast  myself  upon  the  mercy  of  God. 
During  this  day  I  felt  less  anxiety  than  I  had  done  for  many 
days  before.  Sometimes  I  hoped  I  had  given  myself  to  God, 
and  sometiuif's  I  feared  that  my  convictions  were  wearing 
off,  and  that  I  should  return  again  unto  folly. 

*'  Just  in  the  twilight  of  the  same  day,  I  had  occasion  to 
walk  to  a  neighbour's  house  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant. 
As  I  walked,  a  now  train  of  tliought  occupied  my  mind.     How 
liappy,  thoju'lit  I,  are  the  angels!      They  arc  happy  because 
they  are  holy,  and  have  never  sinned.     ITow  nihappy  I  am 
on  account  of  sin  !     My  thoughts  now  ran  back  to  Adam  in 
the  jiarden.      I  thouiiht  I  would  have  given  the  world,  had  it 
been  at  my  con)niand,  if  he  had  never  sinned  ;   then  1  should 
not  have  been  a  sinner.     But  I  now  felt  myself  a  dreadful 
sinner,  and  could  sec  no  way  by  which  I  could  be  made  holy. 
At  the  same  time  I  was  convinced,  that  unless  I  were  made 
holy,  I  could  never  be  made  happy.     It  appeared  that  I  had 
a  sreat  something-  to  do;   wliat  it  \va?,  or  how  to  do  it,  I  knew 
not.     Immediately  as  I  walked,  tliis  pas^r.^:e  of  scripture  came 
powerfully   into    my   mind, — '  Behold    the    Lamb    of   God, 
which  takelh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.'     A  gleam  of  hope 
seemed  to  come  from  these  words.     But  T  thought  they  were 
only  words  which  I  had  read,  and  were  now  suggested  by  my 
imas'in'^tion.     They  seemed  to  be  repeated  the  second  time, 
— '  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  t.'ikcth  away  the  sin  of 
the  world.'     The  effect  was  overwhelming.     In  an  instant, 
the  great  plan  of  mercy,  through  the  atonement  of  Christ, 
was  astonishingly  opened  to  my  view.     lie   appeared  to  be 
just  such  a  Saviour  as  I  needed.     I  saw  that  by  his  atone- 
ment he  had   (so  far  as  an   atonement  could  do  it)  '  taken 
away  the  sin  of  Ihc  world.^     What,  said  I  to  myself,  is  it 
only  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  in  order  to  be  saved?     It  ap- 
peared almost  too  free  and  too  glorious.     It  seemed  impossi- 
\)\e  that  it  should  be  true.     But  the   more  I  reflected,  the 
more  clear  it  ap[x?ared  that  this  was  the  gospel  method  of 
salvation.     I  could  not  help  taking  hold  of  it,  and  thought  I 
saw  in  it  a  glorious  consistency  with  the  attributes  of  God. 

•'  My  mind  now  became  calm,  but  not  transported.  It 
occurred  to  me  that  this  was  not  such  a  conversion  as  I  ha4 
been  looking  for.     I  had  expected  my  distress  to  be  increased, 


MEMOIR  ©F  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.  379 

until  I  should  see  myself  hanging,  as  it  were,  over  everlasting 
burnings,  and  that  then  I  should  have  some  discovery  of  the 
Saviour;  hut  in  wh;'t  way  I  kncv/  not.  Those  sweet  words 
would  still  recur  to  my  mind, — '  13ciiold  the  Lamh  of  God, 
which  takeih  away  the  sin  of  ilic  world.'  The  gracious  in- 
vitations of  the  gosjtcl,  .:nch  as  Isaiah  Iv.  1.  *  Ho,  every  one 
that  tliirstcih,  come  yc  to  the  wiUcrs ;  and  he  that  hath  no 
money,  come;  yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk,  without  money 
and  wiil'out  price,'  appeared  exceedingly  precious.  The 
more  I  reflected,  the  wiore  I  was  lost  in  wonder  and  aston- 
ishment in  cop{cmj)luting  the  riches  of  grace.  The  Saviour 
now  bcgaii  to  :ipj)Gar  precious  to  me.  Yet  I  was  exceed^* 
ingly  ai'raid  'i!r\t  I  should  be  deceived. 

"  A  short  time  afterwards,  being  asked  at  a  conference 
meetii  g  to  rchiio  my  religious  feelings,  I  com|)lied;  and 
though  hoijosily,  yet  vviiii  much  fear  and  trembling,  1  pro- 
ceeded to  state  what  I  had  experienced.  Cin-iotiiins  rejoiced, 
and  anxious  sinners  wept.  I  was  cnHcd  upon  in  the  course 
of  the  evening  to  pray.  I  attemj)led,  and  was  blessed  with 
some-  degree  of  freedom.  Seeing  some  persons  who  liad 
been  for  some  time  anxiuus,  I  coliK)  not  rcfraiii  from  address- 
ing them.  They  vvcro  askif'g,  '  What  shall  wo  do  to  bo 
saved?'  I  replied,  '  Believe  on  the  liCird  Jesus  Christ  and 
you  shall  be  saved.'  I  then  iL'ought  ih;U  I  could  tell  lliem  so, 
that  they  would  believe.  But  after  sl:'(i!:g  to  them  my  views 
of  that  wonderful  declaration, — '  Be  hoUl  the  liamb  of  God, 
which  takedi  away  the  sin  of  the  v.  orld,'  I  could  not  perceive 
tliat  they  were  affected  by  it.  It  seemed  to  m:^  that  everj 
one  nov/  could  believe,  and  I  wondered  that  I  had  never  be- 
lieved before.  I  seldom  ofterwards  attended  meeting  with- 
out taking  some  part  in  the  public  cxcrcisesj  until  I  was 
solemnly  set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

**  It  may  be  proper  here  to  observe,  that  previous  to  my 
religious  concern,  I  had,  with  the  advice  of  several  friends, 
determined  to  enter  upon  th.e  study  of  the  law.  Two  gentle- 
men, one  of  whom  had  been  Stales' Aiturney  in  Connecticut, 
the  other  a  practitioner  in  law,  kindly  engaged  me  their  as- 
sistance, and  furnished  me  with  books.  I  li;id  already  read 
a  number,  and  was  reading  Blaekstonc's  Commentaries,  when 
my  attention  was  arrested.  I  was  obli'jed  to  lay  them  aside, 
but  with  the  expectation  of  resumiiig  them  after  my  impres- 
sions had  subsided.     I  made  several  attempts  to  resume  them, 


380         MEM9IR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D, 

but  now  found  it  utterly  in  vain.  My  attention  was  wholly 
engrossed  with  another  subject,  although  I  do  not  recollect 
that  I  thought  of  preaching.  I  have  since,  however,  had 
reason  to  believe  that  the  impression  was  very  general  upon 
the  minds  of  the  people,  that  I  should  at  some  time  or  other 
become  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  As  there  was  no  settled 
minister  in  the  town  at  this  time,  I  was  constantly  called 
upon  to  take  some  part  in  all  the  religious  meetings.  I  how- 
ever felt  a  great  diffidence  in  speaking,  unless  when  requested 
by  some  of  the  older  brethren. 

"  Not  long  after  I  had  obtained  a  hope  of  an  interesi  in 
Christ,  when  meditating  on  the  character  of  the  Saviour,  these 
words  were  impressed  very  forcibly  on  my  mind,  '  These  are 
they  which  follow  the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth.'  I  was 
struck  with  the  thought,  and  wished  that  I  might  be  one  of 
them,  for  they  seemed  to  me  to  be  peculiarly  blessed.  But 
the  question  immediately  occurred,  '  Where  has  the  Saviour 
gone  as  an  example  for  his  people  to  follow  V  I  was  first  led 
to  view  him  coming  from  Galilee  to  Jordan,  to  be  baptized  of 
John  in  Jordan.  I  at  once  said  to  myself,  I  cannot  follow 
him  in  this,  nor  am  I  required  to.  I  have  been  already  de- 
voted to  God  in  infancy;  therefore  this  part  of  Christ's  ex- 
ample can  have  no  claim  upon  my  obedience.  Still  the 
words  followed  me, — '  These  are  they  which  follow  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  he  goeth.'  I  at  length  resolved  prayerfully  to 
search  the  New  Testament,  with,  I  trust,  a  heart  breathing 
the  language  of  the  apostle,  '  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me 
to  dor 

*'  I  had  been  educated  in  the  principles,  and  what  I  now 
consider  the  prejudices  of  the  Congregationalists.     1  had  read 
little   on   the   baptismal   controversy,   except    '  Dickenson's 
Divine  Right  of  Lifant  Baptism.'     This  work  had  been  re- 
printed with  a  preface  by  eight  Congregational  minivers  of 
the  then  town  of  Norwich,  one  of  whom  was  my  great  uncle, 
under  whose  instructions  1  had  been  brought  up.     I  thought 
very  highly  of  the  work,  and  had  read  it  with  much  attention 
more  than  once,  in  order  to  furnish  myself  with  arguments  in 
favour  of  infant  baptism.     These  arguments  had  satisfied  my 
mind   until  now,  when  I  read  the  scriptures  with  different 
feelings.      [  wished  to  be  candid,  and  to  receive  the  truth 
wherever  I  might  find  it.     But  after  all,  when  I  perceived 
that  the  evidence  appeared  against  my  former  sentiments. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.   D.  SSl 

and  in  favour  of  the  baptism  of  believing  adults  only,  it  re- 
quired an  amazing  struggle  to  surrender  the  point.  I  con- 
cealed my  conflicls  from  all  my  B:;ptist  frirnds,  but  unbosom- 
ed myself  freely  to  several  Pcdob;;plist  ministers,  hoping  thai 
they  might  be  able  to  remove  my  dlffjcuUies.  But  all  of  them 
proved  physicians  of  no  value.  I  had  fully  resolved  to  follow 
tlie  truth  wheresoever  I  might  find  it.  I  well  kijcw,  more- 
over, that  all  my  earthly  connexions  were  decided  Pedo- 
baptists.  I  endeavoured  to  count  the  cost,  and  ihough  I 
should  forfeit  their  friendship,  felt  determined  to  follow  the 
dictates  of  my  own  conscience. 

*'  During  my  unsettled  stale  of  mind,  a  respectable  Con- 
gregational minister  visited  rnd  lodged  at  my  house.  In  thft 
course  of  the  evening,  ho  introduced  the  subject  of  his  visit, 
which  was,  he  said,  to  invite  me  to  olier  mysflf  a  candidate 
for  examination  before  ihc  Association  to  which  he  belonged, 
with  a  view  to  my  being  licensed  to  preacb  the  gospel  in  their 
fellowship.  Cut  being  so  fir  convinced  of  the  correctness  of 
the  distinguishing  sentiments  of  the  Baptists,  I  thought  it  im- 
proper to  take  any  slop  until  my  n>ind  should  be  decided.  I 
thanked  him  for  his  friendly  invilalion  ;  but  frankly  told  him 
the  state  of  my  mind.  I  requested  him,  if  he  thought  I  was 
in  danger  of  embracing  an  error,  to  endeavour  to  reclaim 
me.  With  this  view,  I  requested  him  to  tell  me  where  to 
iind  a  warrant  for  infint  bnpiisin.  lie  inmicdiatcly  referred 
to  Genesis  xvii.  and  went  at  large  into  the  ordinary  argu- 
ment founded  upon  the  Ahrahaniic  covenant.  After  convers- 
ing till  a  late  hour,  I  inf^jined  him  that  I  had  hoped  lie  would 
have  convinced  me  that  infant  baptism  was  right;  but  was 
sorry  to  sa}^  he  had  entirely  failed.  My  conscience  still  pre- 
ponderated towards  tlie  o|)ii)ions  of  the  Bajjtists.  'Sir,'  said 
I,  '  in  this  case,  what  shall  I  do?'  '  Wb.y,'  said  he,  '  if  we 
cannot  agree  to  think  alik^,  we  must  agree  to  difler.'  We 
imited  in  prayer,  and  retired  to  rest. 

"  Previously  to  n)y  baptism,  I  visited  my  friends  at  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut.  I  then  took  an  opportunity  of  conversing 
with  my  former  venerable  pastor,  lie  received  me  very 
kindly;  and  when  at  his  request  I  related  my  religious  exer* 
cises,  was  quite  melted  into  tears.  But  \\hen,  towards  the 
close  of  the  evening,  he  suspected  from  some  of  my  inquiries, 
that  my  mind  was  not  established  in  the  doctrines  of  Pedo-^ 
baptism,  he  remarked  to  me,  in  rather  a  stern  tone  of  voice, 


353         ME3I0IR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,    D.  D. 

'  Well,  Thomas,  if  you  renounce  your  infant  baptism,  and 
are  re-baptized,  I  shall  reprobate  you,  notwithstanding  all 
that  you  have  told  me.'*  I  was  much  shocked  at  the  remark, 
and  after  a  moment's  silence,  replied,  '  I  hope,  Sir,  I  shall 
be  directed  to  do  what  is  right.'  Thus  we  parted,  perhaps 
with  mutual  dissatisfaction. 

"  He  put  into  my  iiand,  at  parting,  '  Wall's  Abridgment 
of  his  History  of  Infant  Baptism.'  But  all  the  help  I  derived 
from  this  was,  to  be  confirmed  in  what  I  had  before  feared 
was  true.  Dr.  Wall  unhesitatingly  acknowledges  that  the 
primitive  mode  of  baptism  was  immersion,  and  blames  the 
Presbyterians  for  changing  it  into  sprinkling.  Neither  during 
my  inquiries  nor  before  them,  had  I  ever  seen  a  page  written 
by  the  Baptists,  except  a  small  pamphlet  written  by  S.  Wilson, 
entitled  '  A  Scripture  Manual.'  This  I  had  read  many  years 
before.  I  once  told  a  Baptist  minister  that  I  wished  to  have 
some  conversation  with  him  respecting  baptism,  as  I  had 
some  doubts  in  ray  mind  on  that  subject.  He  replied,  *  Do 
you  only  read  your  Bible,  and  you  will  do  well  enough.'  I 
thought  the  advice  correct,  and  determined  to  follow  it.  And 
whether  now  right  or  wrong,  I  can  only  say,  that  the  Bible 
and  my  own  conscience  compelled  me  to  be  what  I  am.  In 
the  latter  part  of  the  summer  of  1781,  I  was  baptized  by  the 
Hev.  Elisha  Ransom,  then  of  Woodstock,  Vermont. 

*'  From  my  constantly  speaking  in  public,  1  began  to  fear 
being  suspected  of  aspiring  to  become  a  preacher.  This  im- 
pression I  studiously  laboured  to  prevent.  An  ardent  desire 
for  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls  on  the  one  hand,  and,  on 
the  other,  a  consciousness  of  my  want  of  those  acquirements 
which  I  considered  necessary  to  qualify  me  for  the  work, 
kept  me  for  some  time  in  a  state  of  perplexity. 

"  It  may  not  be  improper  here  to  mention  a  remarkable 
season  of  prayer,  which  I  once  at  this  time  enjoyed.  [If 
these  lines  should  ever  meet  the  eye  of  any  other  person,  I 
hope  that  what  I  am  to  relate  will  not  be  imputed  to  vanity 
or  egotism.     '  Behold,  before  God  I  lie  not.']     While  the 


*  It  is  pleasing  to  record,  that  the  good  old  man  did  not  execute  his 
threat.  After  Dr.  Baldwin  had  become  a  Baptist  minister,  his  aged  rela- 
tive treated  him  with  great  kindness,  invited  him  to  preach  in  his  pulpit, 
and  indeed  to  the  close  of  his  life  manifested  towards  him  the  most  paren- 
tal attention. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  TUOMAS  BALDWIN,   D.  D.         383 

subject  of  preaching  was  yet  undetermined  in  my  mind,  after 
sermon  one  Lord's  day,  as  was  then  customary,  a  brother 
present,  who  was  far  gone  in  consumption,  addressed  the 
people  in  a  very  affecting  exhortation ;  after  which  I  was 
requested  to  pray.  I  engaged — but  it  is  impossible  for  me 
to  describe  the  scene  which  opene^i  to  my  view.  Soon  after 
I  began  to  speak,  my  soul  appeared  drawn  out  in  an  uncom- 
mon degree  towards  God,  and  the  ecstacy  of  joy  that  I  then 
felt,  was  absolutely  indescribable  and  full  of  glory.  For  a 
few  moments,  I  apprehended  I  was  about  to  quit  the  body. 
Words  flowed  as  it  were  without  an  effort  of  thought.  My 
language  and  conceptions  appeared  uncommonly  elevated. 
When  I  had  closed  and  opened  my  eyes,  I  perceived  the 
assembly  almost  all  in  tears.  One  man  cried  out  in  an  an- 
guish of  soul,  '  I  am  undone!^  Some  others,  who  had  re- 
mained in  a  hardened,  stupid  state  until  now,  were  trembling 
and  weeping.  These  impressions  with  some,  I  have  reason 
to  hop<?,  terminated  in  saving  conversion  to  God. 

"  This  gracious  manifestation  of  divine  mercy  and  good- 
ness to  me  was  accompanied  with  a  peculiar  peace  and  calm- 
ness of  mind.  It  was  indeed  that  peace  of  God  which  passeth 
all  understanding.  It  was  a  season  never  to  be  forgotten, 
whilst  memory  holds  a  place  in  my  breast.  It  had,  more- 
over, a  considerable  effect  in  reconciling  me  to  devote  myself 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  la  the  days  of  my  vanity,  I  bad 
never  looked  forward  to  any  appointment  with  such  intense 
desire  as  I  now  waited  the  return  of  the  holy  Sabbath,  that 
I  might  meet  with  the  children  of  God,  and  tell  my  fellow- 
sinners  the  blessedness  there  is  in  believing. 

'*  The  winter  succeeding,  we  were  favoured  with  a  re- 
freshing season.  Several  were,  as  we  hoped,  brought  home 
to  God;  among  them  one,  who  has  since  become  a  minister 
of  our  denomination.  The  church  continued  united  in  love, 
and  additions  were  made  from  time  to  time  of  such  as  we 
trust  shall  be  saved. 

"  Although  I  had  generally  conducted  the  religious  exer- 
cises in  most  of  our  public  meetings,  yet  it  was  not  until 
August  of  1782,  that  I  attempted  to  take  a  text,  and  preach 
doctrinally  and  methodically.  The  news  soon  circulated 
widely,  that  I  had  begun  to  preach ;  and  the  next  Sabbath 
many  collected  from  most  of  the  neighbouring  towns.  Our 
assemblies  were  full  and  attentive,  and  the  prospect  highly 
encouraging,  and  thus  in  general  it  continued. 


3S4    MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

**  In  the  spring  of  1783,  the  church  invited  me  to  receive 
ordination.  I  consented  to  be  ordained,  but  not  as  tho 
pastor  of  that  particular  church.  It  was,  however,  under- 
stood that  1  sliould  perform  the  duties  of  a  pastor  so  long  as 
I  should  think  it  proper  to  stay  with  them.  A  meeting  was 
then  called,  and  the  subject  laid  before  the  town.  They 
unanimously  voted  to  concur  >\ith  the  church,  and  pre- 
sented a  call  on  their  part.  Arrangements  were  accordingly 
made,  and  a  council  convened  in  C;inaan,  on  the  11th  of 
June,  1783,  at  which  time  I  was  publicly  ordained  to  the 
work  of  an  evangelist.  Kev.  Samuel  SiiEniARD,  of  Brent- 
wood, New-Hampshire,  preached  on  the  occasion  from  2 
Cor.  iv.  7.  Rev.  Elisiia  Hansom,  of  Woodstock,  Vermont, 
grave  the  charge,  and  llev.  Samuel  AiMnnosE,  of  Sutton, 
New-Ham pshiie,  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  Soma 
other  ministering  brethren  also  assisted  on  the  occasion. 

"  The  church  enjoyed  as  great  a  degree  of  harmony  as 
commonly  falls  to  the  lot  of  churches  in  the  age  in  which  we 
live.  Additions  were  from  time  to  time  made,  until  our 
number  amounted  to  seventy.  A  considerable  portion  of 
these  were  from  the  adjacent  towns. 

'*  I  continued  my  labours  with  this  church  seven  years, 
during  which  time,  thongh  prlnripally  at  home  on  the  Sab- 
bath, I  spent  much  of  the  intervening  time  in  visting  and 
preaching  in  the  destitute  parts  of  the  surrounding  country. 
There  were  ft\r  towns  within  the  space  of  iifiy  miles  round, 
in  which  I  did  not  occnsionaV.y  prrarh. 

"  In  this  v/arfare,  I  v/ent  chiefly  at  my  own  charges. 
Some  few  churches,  however,  Vvliich  I  vi:^iied  by  appoint- 
ment of  the  Association,  made  me  some  compensation,  and 
some  individuals  made  me  small  presents;  but  I  do  not  re- 
collect, that  during  the  whole  of  this  period,  in  all  my  jour- 
iie3'ings,  I  ever  recr  ived  a  public  contribution.  I  usually 
met  with  a  kind  rcccpfion  from  Christians  of  all  denomina- 
tions; and  besides  receiving  their  decided  approbation,  often, 
quite  often  received  the  following  benediction,  with  a  hearty 
pressure  of  the  hand  at  parting, — *  The  Lord  bless  you, 
brother;  such  mm  as  you  will  never  want.' 

"  My  mode  of  travelling  was  on  horseback.  In  pursuing 
my  appointments,  I  had  often  to  climb  the  ragged  mountain, 
and  descend  the  deep  ravine.  These  exchanges,  from  rocky 
steeps  to  dismal  swamps,  were  far  from  unfrequent  at  that 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.         385 

early  period  of  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  our  country. 
The  roads  are  since  so  improved,  that  it  would  be  difficult  to 
persuade  the  traveller  now-a-days  that  they  had  ever  been 
as  bad  as  the  early  settlers  represent. 

"  The  people  were  not,  however,  so  much  wanting  in 
kindness,  as  in  the  means  of  assisting  a  travelling  minister. 
As  for  silver  and  gold,  the  greater  part  of  them  had  none. 
The  cause  for  this  scarcity  of  money  arose  from  the  particular 
circumstances  of  the  times.  At  the  close  of  the  revolutionary- 
war,  the  continental  currency,  which  had  before  depreciated 
to  almost  nothing,  ceased.  The  little  silver  that  remained 
in  the  coffers  of  the  rich,  was  with  much  reluctance  permitted 
to  be  drawn  from  its  long  sequestered  concealment.  It  hence 
often  happened,  that  the  travelling  preacher  must  either  beg 
or  go  hungry,  if  he  happened  to  travel  where  he  was  not 
known.  This,  however,  did  not  very  frequently  fall  to  my 
lot.  I  am,  however,  well  aware,  that  mankind  in  general  are 
much  more  likely  to  remember  a  single  circumstance  of  afflic- 
tion, though  the  suffering  be  ever  so  short,  than  many  mercies 
of  long  continuance." 

We  have  thus  far  followed  the  manuscript  with  scarcely 
any  alteration  or  abridgment.  On  the  interesting  topics  to 
which  it  refers,  the  conversion  of  its  author,  his  change  of 
sontiments  on  the  subject  of  baptism,  and  his  call  to  the 
Christian  ministry,  we  felt  it  our  duty  to  allow  him  to  speak 
for  himself.  In  doing  this,  we  doubt  not  that  we  have  per- 
formed a  most  grateful  service  to  our  readers.  There  is 
always  a  charm  about  a  narrative,  in  which  a  man  declares 
what  he  himself  has  seen  and  felt,  which  a  narration  written 
in  the  third  person  can  never  acquire.  And  besides  this, 
there  is  in  the  memoir  above,  so  many  traits  of  genuine 
Christian  simplicity,  so  well  executed  a  delineation  of  the 
workings  of  the  human  heart  in  many  of  its  most  interesting 
attitudes,  that  it  can  scarcely  be  read  without  lively  and 
peculiar  interest.  Instead,  therefore,  of  apologizing  for  its 
length,  we  are  persuaded  that  the  wish  will  be  general  that  it 
were  longer. 

The  remainder  of  the  narrative  is  not,  however,  so  well 
adapted  for  a  memoir  of  this  nature.  It  contains  many  inci* 
dents  interesting  to  the  author  and  to  his  particular  friends, 
but  which  might  not  so  generally  interest  a  miscellaneous 
public.     We  shall  therefore  leave  the  latter  part  of  it,  and 

33 


3S6  MfiMOIR  OF  THE  itEV.  T^IIO.^lAS  BALDWiX,  t).  13. 

only  use  it  to  supply  us  with  such  facts,  and  occasionally  with 
such  reflections,  as  may  throw  light  upon  the  character  of  its 
author. 

It  will  be  readily  perceived  from  what  has  been  stated 
above,  that  the  labours  of  Dr.  Baldwin  in  Canaan  must  have 
been  excessively  severe.  His  reputation  as  a  preacher  was 
such,  that  his  assistance  was  very  frequently  required  at  or-* 
dinations  and  councils  in  all  the  surrounding  country;  and 
besides,  the  destitute  condition  of  many  of  the  neighbouring 
settlements  presented  innumerable  claims  upon  his  Christian 
sympathies.  To  all  these  calls  he  unhesitatingly  yielded 
hrmself  up.  In  the  narrative  before  alluded  to,  after  relating 
the  events  of  one  of  these  journeys  of  an  hundred  miles  from 
liome  in  the  dead  of  winter,  in  which  he  had  suffered  much 
from  cold  and  something  from  hunger,  and  had  been  engaged 
in  almost  daily  preaching,  he  concludes  with  the  following 
reflections.  We  insert  tiiem  as  a  happ}^  illustration  of  the 
tone  of  his  piety,  and  also  of  the  honourable  disinterestedness 
for  which  he  was  always  distinguished. 

"  During  this  tedious  journey,  I  had  sufiered  some  little 
inconveniencies,  but  enjoyed  much  comfort  in  my  own  soul. 
O  what  an  honour  to  be  engaged  in  so  good  a  cause,  and  to 
serve  so  glorious  a  Master!  Like  him,  for  the  joy  that  is  set 
before  me,  may  I  ever  be  willing  to  endure  the  cross,  and 
despise  the  shame,  continually  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author 
and  finisher  of  my  iaith.'^ 

*'  It  has  often  afforded  me  much  consolation  to  reflect  on 
what  Christ  said  to  his  disciples,  when  one  of  them  said,  '  Lo, 
we  have  left  all  and  followed  thee  ;'  and  he  said  unto  them, 
'  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  there  is  no  man  that  hath  left  house, 
or  parents,  or  brethren,  of  wife,  or  children  for  the  kingdom 
of  God's  sake,  who  shall  not  receive  manifold  more  in  this 
present  time^  and  in  the  world  to  come  life  everlasting.'  I 
have  never  been  able  to  discern  any  worldly  motive  whicli 
could  have  had  any  influence  in  making  me  a  Daptist.  I  had 
literally  to  forsake,  (in  point  of  sentiment,)  all  my  earthly- 
friends*,  all  my  expectations  of  honour,  and  I  may  also  sny.  of 
Avealth.  When  I  was  settled  in  the  ministry,  it  was  without 
any  stipulated  salary  whatever;  and  during  the  seven  years 
which  I  spent  with  the  church  where  I  was  first  settled,  the 
whole  of  my  salary  would  not  average  forti/  dollars  a  year! 
Hence  I  may  say  with  the  apostle,  *  These  hands  have  min* 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.  387 

istereJ  to  ray  necessities  and  those  that  were  with  iiie.'  I 
would  have  gladly  devoted  myself  wholly  to  the  work,  could 
I  have  seen  any  way  in  which  my  family  could  have  been 
supported." 

It  could  not  be  expected  that  a  minister  of  Dr.  Baldwin's 
native  talent,  and  we  may  now  add,  celebrit}'^,  should  be 
destined  to  labour  for  life  amid  the  sparse  population  of  an 
almost  frontier  settlement.  The  event  proved,  that  by  this 
severe  discipline,  Providence  had  been  preparing  him  for  a 
field  of  more  extensive  usefulness.  Towards  the  close  of  the 
winter  of  1790,  the  Baptist  church  in  Sturbridge,  Massachu- 
setts, understanding  that  he  was  not  confined  by  his  ordina- 
tion to  the  people  in  Canaan,  applied  to  him  to  visit  them  as 
a  candidate  for  settlement.  After  some  hesitation,  the  church 
in  Canaan  granted  him  liberty  to  visit  Sturbridge,  and  pro- 
mised, that  if  after  due  deliberation  he  should  consider  it  his 
duty  to  remove  thither,  they  would  furnish  him  with  letters  of 
dismission  and  recommendation. 

About  the  same  time,  he  also  received  a  letter  from  the 
church  in  Hampton,  Connecticut,  containing  a  similar  request. 
And  while  on  his  journey  to  visit  these  places,  early  in  the 
summer  of  the  same  year,  he  received  an  invitation  to  visit 
the  Second  Baptist  Church  in  Boston,  which  had  just  before 
been  deprived  by  death  of  their  excellent  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Gair.  After  visiting  Sturbridge  and  Hampton,  and  receiv- 
ing from  both  churches  an  unanimous  invitation  to  become 
their  pastor,  Dr.  Baldwin  continued  his  journey  to  Boston; 
and  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  church,  preached 
his  first  sermon  to  them  July  4,  1790. 

In  the  beginning  of  August,  some  indications  of  a  revival 
began  to  appear  in  the  congregation.  These  daily  increased, 
until  a  very  considerable  number  were  heard  with  deep  solem- 
nity to  inquire,  AViiat  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  1  The  interett 
excited  b}'-  his  public  labours,  was  very  general;  and  on  the 
2'2d  of  August,  the  Church  and  Society,  by  an  unanimous 
vote,  invited  him  to  become  their  pastor. 

As  we  have  before  stated,  Dr.  Baldwin  had  previously  re- 
ceived an  invitation  to  become  the  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
church  ill  Hampton,  Connecticut,  and  also  another  from  the 
church  in  Sturbridge,  Massachusetts,  With  the  appearance 
of  this  latter  society,  he  was  much  pleased,  and  for  some  time 
thought  that  he  should  probably  settle  with  them.     Two  con- 


388  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

siderations,  however,  liad  an  influence  in  determining  his 
mind  to  Boston.  One  was,  that  he  wished  to  reside  where 
he  could  give  iiimself  wholly  to  the  work.  This  was  the 
great  object  for  which  he  wislied  to  remove  at  all.  For  this, 
Boston  appeared  the  most  eligible  situation.  He  perceived 
that  here  nothing  was  expected  but  what  belonged  to  parochial 
concerns.  This  to  him  was  a  most  desirable  consideration. 
Connected  with  this,  tlie  special  attention  which  appeared 
among  the  young  people  at  this  time  had  great  weight  upon 
his  mind.  He  sincerely  believed  that  there  was  a  greater 
prospect  of  usefulness  there  than  in  any  country  town  what- 
soever. Besides  these  considerations  it  may  be  remarked, 
that  a  striking  coincidence  of  events  connected  with  his  first 
coming  to  Boston,  seemed  to  point  out  the  path  of  duty  too 
plainly  to  be  mistaken.  Under  these  circumstances,  though 
with  much  trembling,  he  gave,  on  the  18th  of  September, 
1790,  an  affirmative  answer  to  the  invitation. 

Dr.  Baldwin  was  in  consequence  installed  on  the  11th  of 
November  following.  The  services  were  performed  in  the 
meeting-house  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Eliot,  which  was  kindly 
offered  for  the  purpose.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Stillman,  then 
pastor  of  the  first  Baptist  church  in  Boston,  preached  from 
2  Cor.  iv.  7 — *"  Forive  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels, 
that  the  excellency  of  the  poiver  may  be  of  God  and  not  of 
us.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  of  Haverhill,  delivered  the  charge ; 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Green,  of  Cambridge,  presented  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  ;  and  the  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton,  of 
Newton,  the  venerable  and  the  only  survivor,  offered  the 
concluding  prayer.  The  day  was  pleasant,  the  services 
highly  interesting,  and  the  assembly  numerous  and  respect- 
able.* ■♦ 

We  are  now  called  to  contemplate  the  subject  of  this  me- 
moir under  circumstances  very  different  from  those  with 
which  his  ministry  commenced.  From  the  frontier  settlements 
of  New-Hampshire,  where  almost  the  whole  of  his  life  had 
been  spent,  he  was  removed  at  once  to  the  centre  of  a  polite 
and  literary  metropolis,  and  was  placed  by  the  side  of  men 


"*  Dr.  Baldwin's  discourse  preached  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  January, 
3824;  with  an  Appendix,  containing  an  Historical  Sketch  of  the  Church 
and  Society. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  B.VLUWIX,  D.  D.  3S9 

whose  praise  had  long  been  in  all  the  churches,  and  whose 
lives  had  been  devoted  to  academic  learning.  Probably  the 
pulpits  of  Boston  have  never  since  been  more  ably  filled. 
Drs.  Lathrop,  Eliot,  Howard,  Belknap,  and  Thacheu 
were  tlio  ministers  of  the  Congregational  churches,  and  Dr. 
Stillman,  probably  the  most  eloquent  and  most  universally 
beloved  clergyman  that  Boston  has  ever  seen,  was  his  imme- 
diate fellow-labourer.  His  early  advantages  for  education 
were,  as  wo  have  seen,  but  scanty.  Constant  labour  had 
left  him  but  little  opportunity  to  improve  them.  He  was  now 
thirty-eight  years  of  age;  a  time  of  life  beyond  which  men  do 
not  generally  make  much  advancement  in  knowledge.  All 
the  resources  upon  wiiich,  depending  on  the  grace  of  God,  he 
could  relv  in  this  arduous  situation,  were  sincere  desires  to 
bo;  useful,  native  vigour  of  mind,  a  fixed  resolution  to  prepare 
himself  for  the  duties  to  v/hich  Providence  had  called  him, 
and,  we  may  add,  a  store  of  sound  reilections  on  theology,  an 
iatuiti\'e  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and  sagacity  in  remark- 
ing the  workings  of  the  human  heart. 

For  this  situation,  Dr.  Baldv/in  proved  himself  manifestly 
equal.  And  his  success  at  least  proves  one  thing,  that  a  man 
of  sense  is  at  home  any  where.  He  here  commenced  that 
course  of  judicious  theological  and  critical  study,  which  laid 
the  foundation  of  his  extensive  reputation,  and  which  enabled 
him  not  only  to  serve  the  church  in  the  pulpit,  but  also  still 
more  extensively  to  illustrate  and  defend  her  doctrines 
through  the  medium  of  the  press. 

The  ministry  of  Dr.  Baldwin  uas  at  Its  commencement  in 
Boston  unusually  blest.  The  revival  which  began  whilst  he 
was  preaching  as  a  candidate,  continued  without  much  inter- 
ruption for  two  years.  To  the  second  and  first  Baptist 
churches  more  than  one  hundred  were  added  during  the  year 
1790.  In  ]  791,  additions  were  made  every  month,  sometimes 
to  the  number  of  nearly  twenty.  The  whole  number  added 
to  the  second  church  this  year  was  about  sevent3^ 

At  the  time  of  Dr.  Baldwin's  installation,  the  number  of 
members  whose  names  were  recorded  on  the  books  of  tho 
ehurch  was  ninety.  Of  these,  many  v/ere  unknown,  and  had 
been  long  forgotten.  The  present  number  of  the  church  is 
about  four  hundred  and  fifty.  During  Dr.  Baldwin's  minis* 
try,  he  baptized  more  than  six  hundred  and  seventy,  who 
were  the  fruits  of  his  ministry  in  Boston. 

33* 


390  MEMOIR  OF  THE    REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

Of  his  life,  from  the  time  of  his  settlement  to  his  death, 
very  few  records  are  extant.  The  history  of  a  clergyman, 
who  devotes  himself  to  the  appropriate  labours  of  his  office, 
is  of  course  barren  of  incidents  which  would  interest  the 
world.  It  is  the  plain  and  reiterated  account  of  studies,  and 
visits,  and  conversations,  and  preaching,  in  which  week  after 
week  has  in  rapid  succession  been  consumed.  His  world  is 
the  people  of  his  charge;  or,  to  speak  still  more  truly,  and 
with  still  nicer  restriction,  it  is  that  people  seen  only  in  the 
light  of  tiieir  moral  relations.  The  changes  in  these  relations 
are  so  gradual,  that  generally  the  minister  himself  can  hardly 
estimate  them  without  comparing  attentively,  and  at  leisure, 
two  pretty  distant  periods.  To  describe  these  slow  moving 
revolutions,  the  means  by  which  they  were  produced,  or  the 
results  by  which  they  were  made  manifest,  would  savour  of 
egotism,  or  frequently  of  senility.  In  this  unostentatious  la- 
bour is  tlie  time  of  a  minister  of  Christ  usually  and  most  pro- 
fitably employed.  Unseen,  and  noiseless  as  the  evening  dew, 
his  influence  descends  upon  the  people  of  his  charge;  and 
after  his  sun  is  set  and  another  has  risen,  its  effects  are  most 
visibly  acknowledged  in  the  moral  loveliness  of  a  succeeding 
generation. 

Such  vvas  the  general  tenor  of  Dr.  Baldwin's  ministry. 
He  was  a  faithful,  affectionate,  and  devoted  pastor.  No  man 
was  perhaps  ever  more  tcmderly  beloved  by  his  church  and 
congregation.  Nor  was  his  usefulness  confined  at  all  to  these. 
He  was  for  the  part  of  the  city  in  which  he  lived,  appropri- 
ately the  minister  of  the  poor,  and  of  those  who  but  for  him 
might  have  said.  No  man  careth  for  our  souls.  In  the  cham- 
ber of  sickness  and  the  house  of  death,  he  was  emphatically 
at  home.  His  amiable  deportment,  venerable  appearance, 
and  unassuming  piety,  rendered  him  the  peculiar  favourite  of 
those  who  felt  themselves  neglected  by  the  world.  He  was 
their  minister.  To  him  they  could  unburden  their  sorrows; 
to  him  could  they,  as  to  a  father,  unbosom  the  overflowings  of 
their  penitence.  He  it  was  whom  they  wished  to  see  at  their 
bedside  in  the  hour  of  their  departure,  and  to  commit  the  dust 
of  their  friends  to  its  lone  and  silent  grave. 

But  not  to  Boston  alone  was  the  usefulness  of  Dr.  Bald- 
win restricted.  Under  his  fostering  hand  many  of  the  churches 
in  its  vicinity  arose,  and  by  his  parental  care  were  they 
gustained.     And  it  is  no  small  praise,  both  to  his  piety  and 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.  391 

to  his  ability,  that  they  drank  so  universally  into  his  spirit. 
He  had  the  faculty,  the  true  evidence  of  greatness,  of  form- 
ing other  men  into  his  own  likeness.  And  hence  it  is  that 
his  character  has  left  so  broad  an  impression  upon  all  this 
part  of  New-England.  The  standard  of  the  pulpit  rose  in 
his  own  denomination  every  where  around  him.  He  assisted 
the  young  of  his  brethren  in  their  attempts  to  acquire  the  ad- 
vantages of  education.  He  set  before  them  an  example  of 
simple,  unaffected  piety.  He  was  a  man  of  peace,  and 
husiied  all  their  contentions,  until  in  his  vicinity  contention 
was  wholly  forgotten.  In  few  places  of  our  country,  perhaps, 
is  there  so  great  a  degree  of  harmony  existing  as  in  the  asso- 
ciations of  which  Dr.  Baldwin  was  a  prominent  member. 
This  fact  all  will  unite  in  ascribing  to  his  meek,  patient,  wise, 
and  upright  precept  and  example. 

It  was  in  labours  such  as  these  that  his  life  was  principally 
consumed.  There  are,  however,  a  lew  circumstances  some- 
what more  deserving  a  paiticular  notice. 

We  have  alluded  to  the  revival  of  religion  which  was  wit- 
nessed during  the  two  first  years  of  his  settlement.  After  this 
subsided,  tlie  church  continued  for  some  time  to  advance  with 
the  growtli  wliich  usually  attends  the  faithful  dispensation  of 
the  word  and  ordinances  of  the  gospel.  In  the  year  1797, 
the  congregation  had  so  much  increased^  that  it  was  found 
necessary  to  enlarge  their  place  of  worship.  This  work  was 
completed,  and  the  house  re-ppened,  on  the  30th  of  Novem- 
ber in  that  year.  A  sermon  was  preached  by  the  pastor  on 
the  occasion,  from  Psalm  cxxii.  7,  8,  9 — "  Peace  be  within 
thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within  thy  palaces,''  &,c.  And  al- 
though the  addition  comprised  two-sevenths  of  the  whole 
house,  yet  the  pews  were  soon  taken  up,  and  the  house  be- 
came as  full  as  before  the  enlargement  was  made. 

In  the  year  1803,  a  second  revival  of  relijrion,  and  the 
most  remarkable  that  was  witnessed  during  Dr.  Baldwin's 
ministry  in  Boston,  occurred.  It  extended  to  both  the  first 
and  second,  then  the  only  Baptist  churches  in  Boston,  and  its 
results  were  felt  also  in  the  churches  of  other  denominations. 
It  is  perhaps  not  too  much  to  say,  that  the  happy  change  in 
the  religious  views  of  a  large  portion  of  professing  Christians 
in  Boston,  may  date  its  origin,  very  evidently,  from  this 
event.  It  continued  for  more  than  two  years,  and  a  very 
great  number  were  the  subjects  of  its  salutary  influences. 


3J>2  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN^  D.  D. 

Tho  particular  account  of  this  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
may  be  found  in  tlio  first  volume  of  the  American  Baptist 
Magazine,  first  series,  numbers  for  September,  1804,  and 
September,  1805.  To  these  we  must  refer  our  readers,  as 
the  narrative  would  be  too  extended  for  our  present  purpose. 
It  will  only  be  proper  here  to  remark,  that  the  attention 
commenced  simultaneously  in  both  churches  in  the  spring  of 
1S03.  In  September,  October,  and  November  of  that  year, 
the  attention  was  the  most  solemn.  In  September  of  1804, 
though  somewhat  abated,  it  was  still  pleasing  and  interesting; 
and  it  was  not  till  August,  1805,  nearly  two  years  and  a  half 
from  its  commencement,  that  it  could  be  considered  to  have 
terminated.  During  this  period,  the  first  church  received 
one  hundred  and  thirty-five,  and  the  second  two  hundred  and 
twelve;  in  all,  three  hundred  and  forty-seven  members. 

We  cannot,  whilst  referring  to  this  work  of  grace,  omit  a 
few  extracts  from  the  remarks  which  accompany  the  narra- 
tive to  which  we  have  alluded.  We  do  it  to  illustrate  the 
nature  of  tho  religious  impressions  then  made  upon  the  minds 
of  the  multitudes  who  thronged  the  houses  of  worship,  as  well 
as  to  show  the  sound  discretion  of  him  whom  God  used  as  one 
of  the  principal  instruments  of  their  conversion. 

"  Tills  work,^'  he  remarks,  "  has,  we  believe,  been  carried 
on  with  as  little  noise  and  confusion  as  any  of  equal  extent 
which  has  ever  taken  place  in  our  land.  We  are  far  from 
thinking  that  there  cannot  be  a  good  work  where  there  is  a 
considerable  mixture  of  enthusiasm ;  but  still  we  think  it  not 
very  desirable.  There  has  been  little  or  no  outcry,  swoon- 
ing, &.C.  in  the  present  work.  The  mind  has  been  silently 
yet  powerfully  impressed. 

"  The  converts  in  general  have  appeared  to  have  a  deep 
and  thorough  sense  of  the  depravity  of  their  own  hearts,  and 
of  tho  infinite  evil  of  sin,  as  committed  against  a  holy  God. 
They  have  not  so  frequently  expressed  their  fears  of  hell,  as 
their  dread  of  sin  on  account  of  the  wronw  which  it  contains 
in  itself.  Comfort  has  been  variously  communicated.  The 
precious  promises  have  in  some  instances  been  powerfully 
applied.  Others,  on  viewing  the  Divine  character,  have  bad 
instant  joy  infused  into  their  souls.  They  have  felt  such  a 
sweetness  in  meditating  upon  the  perfections  of  God  and  the 
glories  of  the  Redeemer,  as  apparently  to  lose  sight  of  every 
thing  else.     In  other  instances,  light  has  been  gradually  let 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.  30S 

into  the  mind,  and  they  have  obtained  evidence  of  their 
change  by  finding  within  themselves  the  tempers  and  feelings 
of  the  gracious  heart. 

*'  We  add,  in  the  last  place,  a  remark  upon  the  effects  of 
this  work  on  individuals  and  on  society  at  large.  It  has  re- 
claimed the  profine  swearer,  the  Sabbath  brea[:er,  the  gam- 
bler. It  has  made  the  '  young  men  sober-minded.'  It  has 
formed  the  minds  of  all  who  have  embraced  it  to  the  love  of 
virtue  and  religion.  It  has  led  them  to  the  discharge  of  all 
the  duties  of  social  and  religious  life,  with  conscientiousness 
and  fidelity.  In  a  word,  it  has  laid  a  foundation  to  hope,  that 
in  future  life  they  will  so  conduct  as  to  be  ornaments  to  reli- 
gion and  blessings  to  the  world."  To  this  the  most  happy 
period  of  his  ministry,  Dr.  Baldwin  often  referred  with  un- 
speakable pleasure  to  the  very  close  of  his  life. 

In  September,  1803,  Dr.  Baldwin,  by  the  appointment  of 
the  Baptist  Missionary  Society  of  Massachusetts,  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  American  Baptist  Magazine,  then  under 
the  title  of  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary  Magazine. 
This  work  was  first  published  semi-annually,  then  quarterly, 
afterwards  once  in  two  months,  and  at  present  monthly. 
From  its  commencement  until  the  year  1817,  he  was  its  sole 
editor.  From  1817  until  his  death,  he  was  its  senior  editor, 
and  continued  from  time  to  time  to  enrich  its  pages  with  the 
results  of  his  experience  and  the  warnings  of  his  wisdom. 
For  many  years  this  was  the  onl}^  Baptist  religious  periodical 
work  in  America.  To  its  influence,  and  to  the  labours  of 
Dr.  Baldwin,  by  its  means  may  be  ascribed  in  a  great  degree 
the  rapid  progress  which  has  been  made  in  his  ov/n  denomi- 
tion  in  acquaintance  with  each  other,  in  missionary  enterprise, 
and  in  religious  knowledge. 

Dr.  Baldwin  has,  however,  been  more  extensively  known 
to  the  world  as  an  author,  through  his  works  on  Baptism  and 
Communion.  The  first  of  these  was  entitled,  "  Open  Com- 
munion Examined,"  and  was  originally  published  in  17S9,  at 
the  request  of  the  Woodstock  Association,  whilst  the  author 
resided  in  New-Hampshire.  The  second  was  published  ia 
1794,  a»d  was  in  answer  to  a  tract  of  the  Rev.  Noah  Wor- 
cester, entitled  "^•4  Pricndly  Letter^''''  addressed  to  the  author. 
In  180(3,  these  were  re-published  in  a  volume,  with  the  ad- 
dition of  an  appendix,  containing  a  reply  to  Mr.  Edwards' 
"  Candid  Rcasons^^^  together  with  some  additional  remarks 


304  MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  THOMAS  TIALDWIN,  D.  D. 

upon  some  sermons  and  pamphlets  which  had  recently  ap- 
peared on  the  subject. 

The  author's  principal  work  on  this  controversy,  was  pub- 
lished in  1810,  and  is  entitled,  "  A  Sei'ies  of  Letters^  in 
which  the  distinguishing  Seiitimc?its  of  the  Baj)tists  are  ex- 
plained and  vindicated,  in  answer  to  a  late  Publication  by 
the  Rcu.  Samuel  Worcester^  A.  31.  addressed  to  the  Author, 
entitled,  Serious  and  Candid  Letters.''^  This  is  a  volume 
ot  about  2J0  pages,  and  contains  a  pretty  ample  discussion 
of  the  principal  topics  of  dispute  between  the  Baptists  and 
Pedobaptists.  Tliis  is  considered  the  ablest  of  Dr.  Baldwin's 
productions.  It  was  written  in  the  meridian  of  his  strength, 
upon  a  subject  on  which  he  had  long  and  deeply  reflected,  and 
at  a  time  when,  by  repeated  trials,  he  had  become  aware  of 
his  own  power,  and  could  fearlessly  rely  upon  the  decisions 
ot  his  own  intellect.  It  has  accordingly  given  him  a  more 
extensive  reputation  than  any  other  of  his  works,  both  on  this 
and  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic.  Tlio  late  llev.  Andrew 
Fuller,  than  whom  no  man  was  better  able  to  decide  upon  its 
merits,  pronounced  this  the  ablest  discussion  of  the  question 
he  had  ever  seen. 

To  enter  into  an  analysis  of  these  letters,  would,  on  this 
occasion,  be  irrevelant  to  our  object.  It  could  not  be  done 
without  presenting  an  abstract  of  the  whole  matter  in  dispute. 
It  will  be  sulficient  to  remark,  that  the  letters  enter  quite  fully 
into  the  merits  of  the  controversy  on  most  of  its  points,  and 
they  every  where  exhibit  a  vigour  of  intellect,  an  acuteness 
of  logic,  and  a  perspicuity  of  reasoning,  not  often  to  be  met 
with  in  works  of  this  nature.  Their  style  is  simple,  forcible, 
and  direct;  sometimes  enlivened  by  the  easy  playfulness  of 
a  man  who  feels  entirely  at  home  in  his  subject,  and  at  others 
repelling  with  manly  dignity  the  unhandsome  aspersions 
which  in  those  days  it  was  too  common  to  heap  upon  the 
Baptists,  or  those  who  defended  them.  Now  that  the  hour 
of  controversy  has  gone  by,  it  is  not,  we  believe,  denied  by 
candid  men,  even  of  other  denominations,  that,  able  as  was 
his  antagonist,  and  he  was  in  his  lifetime  the  leader  of  his  secf, 
yet  that  Dr.  Baldwin  had  the  decided  advantage  in  the  ar- 
gument. 

Besides  these  works,  Dr.  Baldwin  published  in  the  year 
18*20,  a  short  essay  on  the  subject  of  John's  Baptism,  a  ques- 
tion which  at  that  time,  in  consequence  of  the  allusion  to  it 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  IJALDWIS',  D.  D.  005 

in  IVFr.  Hall's  work  on  Communion,  was  considerably  agitated. 
The  design  of  the  author  was  to  establish  the  position,  that 
John's  Baptism  was  Christian  ]5aptism;  a  doctrine  which 
many  were  labouring:  to  subvert.  This,  although  written 
with  abilityj  is  probably  inferior  to  his  other  works  on  this 
controversy.  If,  however,  it  lacks  somewhat  of  the  vigour  of 
his  former  productions,  it  should  be  remembered  that  ths 
man  of  seventy  is  not  in  all  respects  the  man  of  forty-five. 

Whilst  thus  actively  engaged  in  the  arduous  labours  of  a 
pastor,  as  the  editor  of  an  important  periodical  work,  and  as 
a  successful  polemical  writer,  it  will  of  course  be  supposed 
that  Dr.  Baldwin  received  those  marks  of  public  attention, 
which  are  usually  bestowed  upon  those  who  rise  to  eminence 
in  their  profession.  He  was  repeatedly  chosen  chaplain  of 
the  General  Court  of  the  Commonwealth.  In  1802  he  was 
appointed  to  deliver  the  annual  sermon  on  the  day  of  the 
General  Election.  This  sermon  was  received  with  great 
attention j  and  two  or  three  editions  of  it  were  immediately 
printed.  In  1803,  he  was  admitted  to  tho  degree  of  Doctor 
in  Divinit}^  at  Union  College,  New-York.  The  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts  had  been  some  time  previously  conferred 
upon  him  by  Brown  University,  Rhode  Island.  Of  this  in- 
stitution he  was  first  a  trustee^  and  at  the  time  of  his  decease 
had  been  for  many  years  the  Senior  Fclloic.  Of  Waterville 
College,  jMaine,  to  which  he  had  been  a  liberal  benefactor, 
he  was  a  trustee  from  its  first  organization.  Of  most  of  the 
benevolent  institutions  of  Boston  he  was  an  active  manager, 
and  of  not  a  ie\Y  the  presiding  officer.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  he  was  president  of  the  Baptist  Board  of  Managers 
for  Foreign  Missions,  and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Colum- 
bian College  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Convention  for  amending  the  Constitution  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Massachusetts  in  the  year  1821,  and  in  all  its 
deliberations,  especially  those  which  had  any  bearing  upon 
the  subject  of  religious  liberty,  he  took  an  active  part,  and 
not  unfrequently  spoke  with  unusual  ability. 

To  those  who  were  acquainted  with  his  reputation,  it  is 
^  needless  to  remark,  that  of  his  own  denomination  in  the 
northern  states,  he  stood  decidedly  at  the  head.  No  import- 
ant association  seemed  complete  unless  it  had  enrolled  him 
as  its  president.  No  measure  seemed  to  promise  success, 
aad  it  is  but  a  just  tribute  to  his  wisdom  to  add,  that  very  few 


39G        MEMOIR  OP  THE   REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 

succeeded,  which  had  not  received  his  sanction*  His  brethren 
may  with  niucii  justice  say  of  him,  Unto  him  men  gave  ear, 
and  waited  and  kept  silence  at  his  counseh  After  his  words 
thoy  spake  not  again,  and  his  speecli  dropped  upon  them. 
He  chose  out  our  way,  and  sat  chief,  and  dwelt  as  a  king  in 
the  army,  as  one  that  comforteth  the  mourners. 

Within  this  widely  extended  sphere  of  usefulness,  beloved 
and  respected  by  all  good  men  of  every  station  and  of  every 
sect,  did  Dr.  Baldwin  walk  until  the  close  of  life.  No  gusts 
of  passion,  no  bitterness  of  resentment,  no  sectarian  jealousy 
had  alienated  friends  or  exasperated  enemies.  He  retained 
the  entire  confidence  and  veneration  of  the  community  to 
tho  last;  for  at  the  first,  kaving  honestly  deserved  it,  by 
meekness,  and  humility,  and  sincerity,  he  daily  evinced  that 
with  no  other  man  could  it  be  so  safely  trusted. 

About  seven  years  before  his  death,  he  was  attacked  with 
a  slight  paralytic  affection,  which  gave  his  friends  the  first  in- 
timation that  his  active  labours  were  drawing  to  a  close. 
From  this  his  physical  system  soon  recovered  ;  but  he  always 
believed  that  his  mind  had  received  an  injury,  which  would 
never  be  repaired.  He  sometimes  alluded  to  it  with  some 
deo^ree  of  emotion,  and  seemed  aware  that  his  mental  ener- 
gies, particularly  his  memory^  were  sensibly  enfeebled. 
SVhether  the  change  was  owing  to  this  attack  or  not,  it  is 
probable  that  his  estimation  of  himself  was  correct.  It  was 
not,  however,  until  about  four  years  before  his  death,  that  his 
friends  would  allow  that  they  beheld  in  his  intellect  any  of 
the  infirmities  of  age. 

And  when  these  were  at  last  discovered,  they  were  such  as 
rendered  him  to  the  pious  and  the  kind  man  even  more  than 
ever  interesting.  Old  age  had  imparted  none  of  its  fretful- 
ness,  but,  on  the  contrary,  shed  abroad  upon  him  yet  more 
abundantly,  the  grace  of  Christian  charity.  The  power  with 
which  he  once  could  grasp  a  diflficult  subject,  and  pursue  to 
its  results  a  striking  chain  of  illustration,  seemed  perhaps 
gradually  in  his  public  performances  to  be  leaving  him;  but 
yet  the  ardour  of  his  piety  was  unabated,  and  his  parental 
exhortations  were  frequently  inimitably  affecting.  He  spoke 
in  the  undisguised  sincerity  of  his  heart,  as  a  man  on  the 
brink  of  eternity ;  and  an  audience  would  sometimes  be 
melted  into  tears  by  the  exhortation  of  his  old  age,  which 
would  probably  have  remained  unaffected  and  unmoved  by 
the  eloquence  of  his  more  vigorous  manhood. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D,        397 

In  private  conversation,  the  change  was  far  less  perceptible. 
His  memory,  as  is  usually  the   case,  was  the  power  of  his 
mind  on  which  the  hand  of  age  had  been  laid  most  heavily. 
This   was   not,  however,  oflen  discovered,  unless  he  were 
suffering  under  the  pressure  of  some  temporary  indisposition. 
His  judgment  remained  almost  entire  to  the  last,     AVe  do  not 
mean  to  say  that  he  could  comprehend  a  train  of  abstruse 
reasoning  as  readily  as  at  forty-five,  or  see  as  intuitively  the 
results  of  moral  combinations;  but  on  a  matter  once  fairly 
before  him,  his  opinion  during  the  last  year  of  his  life  was  as 
sound  as  ever.     As  is  common  to  old  age,  he  delighted  more 
in  the  narrative  than  in  the  abstract;  but  his  narrative  was 
always  interesting,  and  his  illustration,  pertinent  and  happy. 
And  thus,  like  the  sun  at  his  setting,  what  was  wanting  in 
meridian  splendour,  was   more  than  supplied  by  the   mild 
radiance  on  which  the   eye   delighted  to  dwell,   and  which 
threw  abroad  its  rich  and  mellowed  glories   more  profusely 
the  nearer  it  approached  to  the  moment  of  its  departure. 

For  about  a  year  before  his  decease,  his  strength  began 
visibly  to  decline.  His  feeble  voice  and  tottering  step  too 
well  forewarned  his  friends  that  his  venerable  form  was  soon 
to  be  gathered  to  his  fathers.  Of  this,  he  himself  was  aware  ; 
and  frequently,  both  in  public  and  in  private,  alluded  with 
much  feeling  to  the  hour  of  his  departure,  now  so  rapidly 
approaching.  Rarely  for  some  time  before  his  death,  did  he 
attend  a  meeting  with  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  without 
alluding  to  the  fact  that  he  might  never  meet  with  tliem  again. 
Scarcely  could  he  hear  of  the  happy  departure  of  a  saint, 
especially  if  he  were  aged  or  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  without 
betraying  visible  emotion.  It  was  not  the  fear  of  death.  Dr. 
Baldwin  was  not  afraid  to  die.  His  faith  was  firm,  his  hope 
was  unclouded.  It  was  the  tear  which  nature  sheds  over  the 
sundering  of  long  cherished,  of  much  loved  relations.  It  was 
the  tear  which  an  apostle  shed  when  standing  for  the  last 
time  on  the  seashore  of  Miletus,  or  which  a  greater  than  an 
apostle  shed  when  surrounded  by  the  weeping  sisters  at  the 
sad  tomb  of  Bethany. 

Dr.  Baldwin,  as  our  readers  arc  already  apprised,  died 
suddenly,  and  from  home.  He  had  left  Boston  to  attend  the 
commencement  of  Waterville  College,  and  arrived  at  lial- 
lowell  on  Friday,  August  26.  The  voyage  seemed  beneficial 
to  his  health,  and  on  the  succeeding  Sabbath  he   preached 

34 


3D8        MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  I),  ti, 

twice  in  the  Baptist  meeting-house  in  that  town.     His  text 

in  the   afternoon  was,  Gal.  ii.  20 — The   life  zchich  1  now 

live  J  I  live  hy  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  »je, 

and  gave  himself  for  me.     In  this  his  last  discourse  he  bore 

testimony  to  the  supports  which,  during  his  long  life,  he  had 

derived  from  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.     lie  declared  that 

his   only    hope   of   j)ardon    and   acceptance   with   God    was 

through  the  mediation  of  a  crucified  Redeemer.     With  an 

emphasis  which  sensibly  affected  his  audience,  he  adopted  as 

his  own  the  language  of  his  text,  and  declared.  The  life  which 

J  live  in  the  flesh,  /  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who 

loved  me,  and  gavx  himself  for  ?ne.    He  concluded  the  service 

•with  the  71st  Psalm  of  Watts,  3d  part,  C.  M.  and  read  with 

great  feeling  the  following  stanzas  : 

God  of  my  chilJiiood  and  my  youth, 

The  guide  of  all  my  day.^, 
I  have  declared  thy  heavenly  truth, 

And  told  thy  wondrous  ways. 

Wilt  thon  forsake  my  hoary  hairs. 

And  leave  my  fainting  heart? 
Who  shall  sustain  my  sinking  years. 

If  God  my  strength  depart .' 

Let  me  thy  povrer  and  truth  proclaim 

Before  the  rising  age, 
And  leave  a  savour  of  thy  name 

\Yhen  I  shall  quit  the  stage. 

The  land  of  silence  and  of  (katk 

Attends  my  next  remove  ! 
O  may  these  poor  remains  ofhrtath 

Teach  the  wide  world  thy  love. 

His  audience  felt  assured  that  this  was  his  last  testimony  to 
them  in  favour  of  the  gospel ;  but  little  did  they  think  that 
he  had  read,  or  they  were  singing  his  requiem,  and  that  the 
two  first  lines  of  the  last  stanza  were  so  soon  to  be  literally 
accomplished. 

Oil  the  following  day,  August  29,  he  proceeded  to  Water- 
ville.  He  seemed  better  for  the  ride,  and  spent  the  after- 
noon in  walking  over  the  College  premises,  and  examining 
the  condition  of  the  institution.  In  the  evening  he  officiated 
at  the  domestic  altar  with  peculiar  devotion  and  solemnity, 
and  after  bidding  each  individual  an  aflectionate  adieu,  re- 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D. 


399 


tired  to  rest  at  about  nine  o'clock.  After  sleeping  apparently 
well  for  about  an  hour,  he  seemed  to  awake,  and  answered 
in  his  usual  manner,  a  question  respecting  his  health;  he  then 
suddenly  groaned  and  was  no  more.  His  usefulness  and  his 
life  terminated  together.  Spared  the  pains  of  death  and  the 
agonies  of  separation,  "  he  was  not,  for  God  took  him  ;"  and 
almost  whilst  he  listened  to  the  voice  of  affection  on  earth, 
the  plaudit  burst  upon  his  ear,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faith- 
ful servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.'* 

Every  token  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  the  deceased 
was  shown  by  the  Trustees  and  Faculty  of  Waterville  Col- 
lege. On  Wednesday  his  remains,  enclosed  in  a  leaden 
coffin,  were  sent  to  Boston,  attended  by  the  Hon.  Mark 
Harris,  of  Portland,  who  had  been  appointed  by  the  Trus- 
tees to  accompany  the  afflicted  widow  with  her  sad  charge 
to  the  place  of  his  former  residence.  They  arrived  there 
on  Friday,  September  2. 

On  Monday,  September  5,  a  prayer  was  offered  at  the 
house  of  the  deceased,  by  the  Rev.  Stephen  Gano,  of  Pro- 
vidence. The  other  funeral  services  were  attended  at  the 
meeting-house  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church  by  a  thronged 
and  deeply  affected  congregation.  The  Rev.  Joseph  Guaf- 
TON,  of  Newton,  who  offered  the  concluding  prayer  at  the 
installation  of  the  deceased,  prayed.  Rev.  Mr.  Sharp,  of 
Boston,  delivered  the  funeral  discourse  from  Acts  xi.  24 — 
•  He  was  a  good  man.''  Rev.  Mr.  Wayland  closed  the 
services  with  prayer.  The  body  was  then  conveyed  to  the 
family  tomb,  followed  by  thousands,  who  were  anxious  to 
testify  their  respect  for  this  faithful  and  distinguished  servant 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ- 

Dr.  Baldwin  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Miss 
Ruth  Huntington,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  She  was  the 
mother  of  all  his  children.  Of  these,  the  only  survivor  ii 
Mrs.  Ruth  Holt,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Holt,  of  Boston. 
Mrs.  Baldwin  died  February  11,  1812.  On  the  1st  of  De- 
cember, 1812,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Duncan,  of 
Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  who  still  survives  to  mourn  her  ir- 
reparable loss,  and  whose  affectionate  and  assiduous  attention 
to  the  kindest  of  husbands  will  for  ever  endear  her  to  all  by 
whom  he  was  beloved. 

'    The  history  of  a  man's  life  is  the  only  sure  evidence  of 


400  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,    D.  D. 

bis  ability.  What  a  man  has  done  we  iiokl  to  be  proof  posi- 
tive of  his  power.  Judged  by  this  standard,  Dr.  Baldwin 
certainly  will  be  ranked  among  the  most  eminent  men  of  his 
profession  in  this  country.  To  say  nothing  of  his  publications, 
some  of  which  have  become  standard  works  on  the  subjects 
of  which  they  treat,  it  is  evident  that  no  man,  not  highly 
gifted  of  nature,  could  ever,  under  his  circumstances,  have 
acquired  so  extensive  an  influence,  and  retained  it  to  the 
last,  entire  and  undiminished.  Men  do  not  confide  their 
interests  into  the  hands  of  another,  unless  he  be  abler  than 
themselves.  And  he  who  for  so  long  a  time  united  the  suf- 
frages of  all,  could  only  have  retained  them  by  giving  re- 
peated proofs  of  undoubted  native  pre-eminence. 

And  this  consideration  will  be  more  striking,  if  we  recollect 
•^he  circumstances  under  which  Dr.  Baldwin  entered  the 
ministry  in  Boston.  His  opportunities  for  improvement, 
either  by  reading  or  intellectual  association,  had  been  limited. 
He  had  read  little,  he  had  seen  little;  but  God  had  given  him 
the  ability  to  think.  He  was  of  an  age  at  which  the  intel- 
lectual habits  of  most  men  are  formed.  They  are  too  wise 
to  learn,  and  too  much  attached  to  the  habits  of  their  early 
education  to  amend  them.  Hence  too  frequently,  to  men  of 
this  age,  a  change  of  location  is  the  end  of  usefulness.  "  As 
a  bird  that  wandereth  from  her  nest,  so  is  a  man  that  wan- 
dereth  from  his  place."  But  not  so  with  the  subject  of  this 
memoir.  The  change  was  a  great  one,  but  he  was  equal  to 
it.  He  looked  upon  the  relations  of  society  in  the  light  of 
common  sense  and  of  truth.  He  perceived  what  was  required 
in  the  situation  which  he  had  entered.  lEe  saw  what  he 
wanted;  and  in  the  strength  of  a  mind  competent  to  dictate 
terms  to  itself,  he  resolved  to  supply  it.  He  threw  aside 
what  was  unsuitable  to  his  present  station ;  he  performed 
with  his  full  ability  what  that  station  required  ;  and  soon 
found  what  he  who  honestly  does  his  dut}'  will  always  find," 
that  he  was  competent  to  the  work  which  Providence  had 
assigned  him. 

The  prominent  trait  in  Dr.  Baldwin's  intellectual  charac- 
ter was  vigorous  and  manly  discrimination.  His  imagination 
was  not  luxuriant,  nor  had  his  taste  acquired  that  accuracy 
of  tact,  which  is  only  the  result  of  an  early  acquaintance  with 
the  classics  of  language.  Hence  he  succeeded  best  in  a  train 
of  ratiocination,  especially  if  it  were  one  which  led  to  an 


MEMOIR  OF  TilE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.         401 

urgent  appsal  to  the  conscience.  Hence  his  style  isremark- 
a.ble  more  for  perspicuity  than  grace.  It  is  clear  and  forci- 
ble, but  not  ornate,  and  it  gains  nothing  when  the  author 
attempts  to  adorn  it.  When  relying  on  his  reasoning  power, 
he  is  strong;  but  when  attempting  to  indulge  his  imagination, 
the  critic  might  sometimes  say  in  good  nature,  Bonus  Ho^ 
merus  dormitat. 

In  public  life,  Dr.  Baldwin  combined  in  a  rare  degree 
unbending  rectitude  with  unsophisticated  kindness  of  heart. 
In  the  discharge  of  his  duty  he  never  knew  fear.  He  was 
naturally  above  any  thing  like  timidity ;  and  religious  prin- 
ciple had  still  more  effectually  taught  him  to  do  right  '*  un- 
caring consequences."  And  yet  no  man  could  have  more 
carefully  avoided  unnecessarily  injuring  the  feelings  of  the 
most  insignificant  human  being.  He  rigidl}'  obeyed  the 
command,  '  Speak  evil  of  no  man,'  In  company  or  at  home, 
he  either  spoke  kindly,  or  was  silent.  Whilst  true  to  a  hair's 
breadth  to  the  principles  which  he  believed,  he  gave  full 
credit  to  the  honesty  and  the  rectitude  of  those  from  whom  he 
differed.  Hence  was  it  that  he  so  often  obtained  the  bless- 
ing of  a  peace  maker.  Hence  he  maintained  to  the  last,  the 
entire  confidence  of  men  of  the  most  conflicting  opinions, 
and  even  came  off  from  the  arena  of  theological  controversy 
rich  in  the  esteem  even  of  those  whom  his  argument  failed 
to  convince. 

But  it  was  in  the  retirement  of  domestic  life,  as  the  huS' 
band,  the  father,  and  the  friend,  that  you  beheld  him  clothed 
in  the  most  endearing  attributes.  It  was  here  that  he  shed 
around  him  the  bland  and  attractive  lustre  of  finished  moral 
excellence.  His  disposition  was  in  a  pre-eminent  degree 
charitable,  kind,  and  benevolent.  To  know  him  at  home, 
was  to  venerate  and  love  him.  Always  self-possessed,  always 
dignified,  yet  always  instructing  and  always  cheerful,  no  one 
could  long  be  unhappy  beneath  his  hospitable  roof.  The 
writer  of  this  feeble  attempt  to  delineate  his  character,  was 
for  four  years  in  the  habit  of  seeing  him  daily,  and  on  terms 
of  the  most  familiar  intercourse ;  and  for  nearly  half  of  this 
time  was  an  inmate  of  his  family,  and  remarked  his  deport-^ 
ment  under  every  variety  of  circumstances  ;  and  he  can  truly 
say,  that  he  does  not  recollect  to  have  ever  seen  him  betray 
a  temper  inconsistent  with  the  Christian  profession. 

The  character  of  his  piety  corresponded,  a§  might  be  ex^ 

34* 


402  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDAVIN,  D.  D. 

pected,  with  the  type  of  his  mind.  It  was  visible  in  the  firm 
adherence  to  truth,  and  the  conscientious  practice  of  what  he 
believed  to  be  his  duty.  This  was  at  the  same  time  blended 
with  fervent  charity  and  ardent  love  for  souls.  lie  was  a 
sincere  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation,  and  his 
daily  life  manifested  their  influence  upon  his  heart.  If  any 
feature  of  his  piety  was  more  prominent  than  another,  it  was 
meek,  child-like  humility.  This  was  seen  in  every  walk  of 
life,  and  every  where  did  it  add  a  new  charm  to  his  other 
excellent  endowments. 

As  a  preacher,  he  stood  among  the  most  eminent  of  his 
time  in  the  denomination  of  which  he  was  so  long  the  dis- 
tinguished ornament.  He  has  published  more  than  thirty 
sermons  preached  on  particular  occasions,  and  all  of  them 
are  deserving  of  attentive  perusal.  In  all  of  them  may  be 
discovered  the  traces  of  strong  and  accurate  reflection,  or  of 
fervent  and  deeply  affecting  piety.  Sometimes  they  are  re- 
markable for  acute  and  original  argument,  and  at  others  for 
tender  and  overflowing  feeling.  Whatever  was  his  subject, 
he  always  left  upon  his  audience  the  conviction  of  his  own 
sincere  and  earnest  solicitude  for  their  everlasting  good.  His 
expostulations  with  the  young  were  in  a  remarkable  degree 
affectionate,  parental,  and  pathetic.  Very  frequently  on 
such  occasions  he  was  moved  even  to  tears. 

His  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  dignified,  simple,  and  unaf- 
fected. He  rarely  wrote  his  sermons  in  full ;  and  not  gene- 
rally, at  least  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  did  he  even  furnish 
himself  with  a  copious  skeleton.  His  preparation  most  com- 
monly consisted  in  studious  reflection  upon  his  subject,  and 
writing  merely  the  leading  divisions.  To  this  method  he 
had  been  earliest  accustomed,  and  in  this  manner  he  was 
probably  more  generally  successful.  Some  of  his  ablest 
printed  sermons  were  preached  in  tbis  manner,  and  never 
written  till  after  their  delivery.  Though  far  from  being 
prejudiced  against  the  use  of  notes,  he  was  fully  and  doubt- 
less very  truly  aware,  that  at  the  present  day,  at  least  in 
New-England,  there  is  as  much  danger  to  be  apprehended 
from  too  great  a  reliance  upon  writing,  as  there  is  from  not 
writing  at  all. 

In  person,  Dr.  Baldwin  was  rather  above  the  usual  size, 
firmly  and  strongly  built,  and  towards  the  close  of  his  life 
barely  inclined  to  corpulency.     His  countenance  was  digni- 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  D.  D.  403 

fled,  mild,  and  engaging,  and  his  hair,  of  late  years  perfectly 
white,  rendered  his  whole  appearance  in  the  highest  degree 
venerable.  His  habits  were  temperate  and  regular,  without 
being  formal  or  ascetic.  Hence  it  will  be  readily  imagined, 
that  he  uniformly  left  upon  every  one  the  impression  of  old 
age  in  its  loveliest  and  most  interesting  aspect,  and  Chris- 
tianity  in  its  mildest  and  most  attractive  exhibition, 


M  E  M  O  I  R 

or  THBy^ 
REV.    RICHARD    F  U  R  M  A  N,    D.  D. 


Op  this  eminent  servant  of  the  Lord,  it  is  difficult  to  express 
what  is  just  and  proper  wi  hout  the  appearance  of  excessive 
partiality.  To  represent  him  in  the  ordinary  terms  of  eulogy, 
or  to  depict  his  virtues  by  any  of  the  common  standards  of 
description,  would  be  the  direct  way  to  fall  short  of  the  truth. 
The  providence  of  God  gives  few  such  men  to  the  world  as 
Dr.  Furman.  After  a  long  acquaintance  with  the  world,  and 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  ministers  of  the  gospel,  of  various 
denominations,  and  of  almost  every  diversity  of  talent  and 
attainment,  I  am  free  to  confess,  that  I  have  scarcely  met 
any  where  the  individual  of  such  commanding  excellence. 
The  feeling  which  he  inspired  in  the  mind  of  those  best 
qualified  to  judge,  was  not  the  cold  approval  of  unquestioned 
merit,  but  the  hearty  admiration  of  true  goodness  and  exalted 
worth.  Where  others  were  great,  he  was  transcendent ;  and 
where  others  were  fair  and  consistent  in  character,  he  stood 
forth  lovely  and  luminous  in  all  the  best  attributes  of  man. 
His  genuine  goodness  was  coupled  with  moral  grandeur ;  so 
that  in  viewing  him  it  v/as  not  requisite  to  single  out  some 
one  quality  upon  which  to  fix  the  estimate  of  his  character^ 
but  to  contemplate  that  character  in  its  beautiful  and  coni' 
prehensive  integrity,  as  constituted  and  formed  out  of  all 
those  elements  which  give  weight  and  importance  to  human 
nature.  His  endowments  of  mind  were  such  as  to  give  him 
a  station  among  those  most  favoured  by  the  bounty  of  Pro- 
vidence, and  his  attainments  were  such  as  to  secure  the  re- 
spect of  the  most  intelligent  men. 

Richard  Furman,  D.  D.  was  born  at  iEsopus,  in  the  state 
of  New-Yorki  in  the  year  1755.     His  parents  removed  with 


406         MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  RICHARD  FURMAN,   D.  D, 

Jiim,  whilst  yet  an  infant,  to  the  state  of  South-Carolina,  and 
after  some  time  spent  on  the  sea-coast,  ultimately  settled  at 
the  High  Hills  of  Santee,  where  his  father  held  tlie  office  of 
Prothonotary,  and  followed  the  profession  of  a  surveyor.  At 
this  place,  then  almost  a  wilderness  in  comparison  of  what 
population  and  wealth  have  since  done  for  it,  he  grew  up  to 
manhood  under  the  immediate  eye  and  tuition  of  his  father. 
By  him  he  was  carefully  instructed  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
English  language  and  mathematics,  while  his  attention  was 
directed  to  the  study  of  the  Scriptures,  portions  of  which  from 
the  Old  and  New  Testament,  his  father  daily  read  in  the 
family.  Dr.  Furman  commenced  the  work  of  the  ministry 
about  the  age  of  eighteen,  at  which  period  of  life,  on  account 
of  the  gravity  of  his  character,  the  extent  of  his  attainments, 
and  the  soundness  of  his  piety,  the  most  encouraging  hopes 
of  his  future  usefulness  were  entertained. 

lie  entered  the  service  of  his  divine  Master  under  a  deep 
and  permanent  conviction  of  the  importance  of  the  sacred 
office,  and  with  that  ardour  of  piety  which  gave  to  his  future 
life  a  decided  direction.  The  love  of  souls,  the  love  of 
Christ,  and  a  benevolence  which  experimental  religion  had 
warmed  and  ennobled,  were  united  into  one  sublime  passion 
of  his  soul,  under  the  predominating  power  of  which  he  went 
forth  to  publish  the  gospel  of  peace.  From  the  very  first 
his  preaching  was  marked  by  good  sense,  cogent  reasoning, 
searching  applications,  and  powerful  appeals  to  the  fears, 
hopes,  and  rational  motives  of  those  who  heard  him. 

There  was  in  his  early  ministrations  an  earnest  of  that 
incomparable  usefulness  and  devotion  which  his  after  life 
developed.  There  was  a  steady  march  in  his  first  move- 
ments, a  regular  and  determined  progression,  suitable  to  the 
eminence  from  which  he  had  commenced  his  life  of  sacred 
duty.  In  this  respect  he  differed  from  many  who  have 
passed  their  youth  in  unavailing  experiments  before  they 
could  attain  any  settled  plan  of  action.  His  flight  was  lofty 
from  the  first,  and  free  from  the  eccentricities  which  too  often 
spoil  great  tninds,  he  soared  at  once  toward  the  summit  of 
hunian  worth  and  Christian  dignity.  There  was  a  greatness 
in  the  very  rudiments  of  his  ministry,  a  majesty  in  the  style 
of  his  youthful  performances,  which  agreed  well  with  the  se- 
date li^stre  of  his  subsequent  life. 

ThQ  scene  of  his  early  labours  in  the  ministry  was  that 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  UEV.  RICHARD  PURMAN,    t).  f).         407 

portion  of  country  lying  east  and  north  of  the  rivers  Waterce 
and  Santee.  In  that  extended  section  of  Sotfth-Carolina 
he  preached,  and  recommended  with  an  ardour  and  ability 
that  excited  universal  surprise  and  admiration^  a  Crucified 
and  all-sufficient  Saviour.  Many  of  the  churches  afterwards 
united  to  the  Charleston  Baptist  Association,  were  founded 
by  his  instrumentality,  and  ever  cherished  the  deepest  affec- 
tion for  his  person  and  labours.  The  early  settlers  in  that 
region  were  almost  wholly  destitute  of  the  requisite  provi- 
sions for  religious  instruction.  Not  only  so,  but  even  com- 
mon morality  was  a  rare  commodity.  Tavern  scenes,  night 
revels,  drunkenness,  and  licentiousness,  were  so  common  as 
to  have  ceased  to  shock  the  minds  of  any.  The  influence 
of  the  young  Furman's  preaching  upon  these  moral  wastes, 
was  most  salutary  and  effective.  Many  of  those  hardy  sons 
of  vice,  smitten  with  conviction  under  the  searching  power 
of  hTs  convincing  appeals,  were  rescued  from  the  power  of 
darkness,  and  brought  into  the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God. 
The  aged  ministers  with  whom  he  was  in  habits  of  intercourse, 
viewing  in  him  an  uncommon  force  and  ripeness  of  judgment, 
together  with  the  most  unassuming  demeanour,  soon  transferred 
to  him  the  principal  place  in  their  associational  meetings,  and 
thus  yielded  to  his  youth  a  tribute  of  respect  which  had  been 
previously  conferred  only  upon  venerated  age.  The}'  felt 
and  manifested  towards  him  the  sentiments  of  unaffected 
kindness  and  esteem. 

Like  most  of  our  influential  Baptist  ministers  of  that  day, 
he  was  a  most  decided  Whig,  and  exerted  his  talents  and  in- 
fluence in  promoting  the  cause  of  tfie  revolution  in  the  then 
British  colonies.  The  trumpet  in  his  hands  gave  no  uncer- 
tain sound  in  the  cause  of  liberty;  and  he  conscientiously 
sought  the  welfare  of  his  country  as  a  part  of  his  duty  to  the 
Lord.  The  British  army  had  at  that  time  invaded  South- 
Carolina,  and,  in  consequence,  the  subject  of  these  remarks 
found  it  expedient  to  retire  with  his  family  into  North- 
Carolina  and  Virginia.  This  measure  was  naturally  sug- 
gested as  necessary  to  his  safety,  in  consequence  of  the  un- 
sparing vengeance  with  which  all  those  were  pursued  who 
were  known  to  favour  the  cause  of  the  revolution.  In  this 
retreat  he  continued  to  follow  the  high  avocation  of  a  Chris- 
tian minister,  and  to  exhibit  the  feelings  and  sentiments  of 
the  true  patriot.     The  ability  with  which  he  enforced  th& 


403         MEMOIR  OP  THE  V.EV.  IlICIIARD  FURMAN,    D.  D. 

principles  of  sacred  truth  on  the  one  hand^  and  tiie  firmness 
and  intelligence  witli  which  he  asserted  the  riglits  of  his 
country  on  the  other,  attracted  the  attention  of  some  of  the 
leading  advocates  of  the  revolution.  He  was  afterwards 
sought  and  respected  as  an  invaluable  acquaintance  and 
friend,  by  the  Pinckneys,  and  Rutledges,  and  Sumter,  names 
intimately  blended  with  revolutionary  achievements  in  their 
native  state. 

In  the  year  1787  Dr.  Furman  accepted  a  pastoral  location 
in  the  city  of  Charleston,  South-Carolina.     There  he  moved 
in  the  uniformity  of  well  doing.    There  he  continued  his  resi- 
dence for  the  period  of  thiity-eight  years,  exemplifying  by 
rich  and  aflecting  illustrations,  both  the  active  and  passive 
virtues  of  the  Christian  name,  up  to  the  moment  of  his  death. 
History  derives  both  its  interest  and  its  accuracy  from  the 
manifest  changes  and  transitions  in  the  progress  of  human 
affairs.     But  In  the  measured  tenourof  a  single  life,  made  up 
of  nameless  repetitions  of  the  same  acts,  there  is  not  to  be 
found  that  variety  which  confers  interest  upon  other  series 
of  events.     Should  the  moral  impression,  however,  to  be  de- 
rived from  Individual  history  be  thereby  diminished  ?     Is  the 
benignity  of  the  solar  ray  to  be  less  admired  becanse  it  is 
diffused  by  an  order  of  unvarying  succession?     Are  the  stu- 
pendaous  works  of  nature  to  have  less  respect  and  considera- 
tion because  they  continue  to  a  thousand  generations  the  same 
revolutions,  stand  in  the  same  order,  and  produce  the  same 
results'?     The   character   which   is   formed   upon   the   great 
model  of  divine  excellence,   will  indeed  partake  of  the  uni- 
form aspect  of  the   pattern,  but   it  will  also   resemble  the 
pattern    in  the   beauty  and   grandeur  of  its   features.     Dr. 
Furman,   in   regard   to  the  offices  and  duties  of  his  station, 
differed  from  other  faithful  pastors  in  tliis  respect: — He  per- 
formed the  same  ministerial  acts  that  others  did,  but  it  was 
in  a  manner  wholly  his  own.     He  preached,  prayed,  taught 
the  ignorant,  consoled  the  afflicted,  visited  the  destitute  and 
the  sick,  used  hospilality,  met  and  counselled  his  friends  and 
brethren — all  which  things  an   ordinary  man  might  do,  but 
not  as  he  did.     What  he  did,  always  seemed  to  be  best  done; 
and  what  he  said,  seemed  to  be  so  seasonable  and  just,  that 
no  one  might  hope  to  express  it  better.     It  was  therefore  not 
so  much  by  the  kind  of  life  which  he  led,  that  he  was  raised 
to  the  eminence  which  he  attained,  as  by  the  degree  of  supe- 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  RICHARD  PURMAN,  D.  D.         409 

riorlty  in  which  he  stood  above  others.     And  after  all  this 
superiority  was  simply  a  glorying  in  the  Lord. 

There  was  a  spirit  of  frankness  and  generosity  about  Dr. 
Furman,  which  qualified  him  for  a  pre-eminent  station  in 
society.  No  man  better  knew,  or  more  fully  exemplified  the 
principles  of  social  deference.  His  whole  temper  was  sweet- 
ened with  the  love  of  conciliation,  and  the  actions  of  his  life 
were  all  of  that  amiable  and  obliging  character,  which  are 
necessary  to  cement  the  union  of  good  society.  Though 
naturally  grave  and  thoughtful,  he  was  free  from  those  seve- 
rities of  character  which  often  render  the  more  gifted  classes 
of  our  race  inaccessible  to  their  inferior  brethren.  In  com- 
pany, his  condescension  to  those  of  meanest  condition,  wasf 
no  less  remarkable  than  the  refinement  and  pious  urbanity 
with  which  he  addressed  his  equals.  His  well  chastened 
humour  would  frequently  flow  out,  as  much  to  the  instruction 
as  to  the  gratification  of  those  present.  In  the  department 
of  amusing  anecdote  and  agreeable  atticism,  he  was  often 
unrivalled,  and  never  inelegant. 

For  nearly  the  whole  period  of  his  ministry,  he  was  con- 
nected with  one  religious  body,  formed  upon  the  principles  of 
a  popular  delegation,  and  consequently  requiring  much  care 
and  kind  feeling  to  maintain  its  harmony  aKd  union.  In  this 
association  he  not  only  secured  an  invariable  good-will  among 
the  individual  members,  but  under  every  variety  of  questions 
and  discussions  presented  at  its  meetings,  with  every  diver- 
sity of  character  and  disposition  to  be  found  in  a  mixt  assem- 
J)lage,  he  continued  to  sustain  the  authority  and  influence 
which  his  wisdom  had  established,  and  to  receive  from  all  the 
testimony  of  unfeigned  love.  Among  his  duties  as  moderator, 
was  the  presentation  of  proper  salutations  to  the  messengers 
of  distant  associations.  On  such  occasions  his  manner  and 
sentiment  was  truly  tender  and  impressive.  His  pathetic 
and  engaging  address,  his  Christian  refinement  of  expression, 
and,  above  all,  his  noble  and  manly  visage,  over  which  charity 
had  shed  its  kindly  glow,  impressed  upon  such  scenes  a  cha- 
racter which  memory  delighted  to  retain. 

Such  a  mind  as  his  readily  comprehended  all  the  import- 
ant relations  of  life,  and  bestowed  on  each  due  consideration. 
He  recognised  the  debt  which  he  owed  to  civil  government; 
and  from  the  conscientious  part  which  he  sustained  in  several 
distinguished  appointments,  it  was  evident  that  he  knew  how 

35 


4lO         MEMOIR  or  TltB  REt.  RlCHARt)  FURHTAN,    t).  tft 

to  value  independence  and  freedom  ;  and  that  he  connected 
the  true  glory  of  his  country  with  the  prevalence  of  Christian 
ju'inciples.  He  was  placed,  hy  the  suffrage  of  the  people, 
among  the  leading  men  of  the  state,  to  assist  in  forming  a 
constitution  for  South-Carolina  Being  a  member  of  the 
Kevolution  Society,  he  was  appointed  by  that  respectable 
body,  in  conjunction  with  tlie  Cincinnati,  to  prepare  and  de- 
liver discourses,  one  on  the  death  of  Washington,  and  the 
other  on  the  death  of  Hamilton.  The  tribute  which  he  paid 
to  the  virtues  of  these  great  men,  showed  at  once  his  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  events  of  the  revolution,  and  his  mas- 
terly power  in  delineating  the  characters  of  men  who  had 
stood  foremost  in  the  struggle  for  liberty.  In  these  funeral 
eulogies,  which  too  are  happy  specimens  of  a  dictium  formed 
upon  the  rules  of  a  correct  and  pure  style,  he  speaks  lik« 
one  who  had  been  an  eyewitness  of  what  he  relates ;  and 
while  he  surveys  with  just  admiration  the  moral  sublimity 
exhibited  in  the  life  of  a  personage  so  illustrious  as  the  father 
of  his  country,  he  admits  no  tinge  of  an  idolatrous  devotion 
to  human  instrumentality.  But  as  he  had  borne  his  part  of 
the  burden  in  the  fearful  conflict,  and  knew  from  experience 
what  kind  of  magnanimity  was  requisite  to  sustain  man,  in 
such  deeds  of  adventurous  patriotism,  he  was  well  qualified 
to  estimate  the  claims  of  those  who,  by  discretion  and  valour, 
rolled  back  the  tide  of  war,  and  animated  the  sinking  hopes 
of  their  countrymen. 

His  mind  was  awake  to  every  incident  which  could  be 
tliought  to  have  a  bearing  on  the  happiness  of  his  fellow- 
men.  He  lifted  up  the  voice  of  solemn  admonition  in  warn- 
ings and  expostulations  against  vices  which  at  any  time 
t^Areatcned  the  moral  repose  of  the  community  in  which  be 
lived  ;  and  urged  frequent  and  powerful  pleas  in  favour  of 
that  virtue  which  is  necessary  to  exalt  a  people.  Whenever 
tempest  or  fire  spread  their  destructive  ravages,  he  was 
among  the  first  to  call  for  an  humble  and  pious  deprecation 
of  divine  judgments,  and  the  fostering  of  religious  respect  for 
ihe  events  of  God's  providence. 

The  most  eminent  ministers  of  his  own  persuasion,  both 
in  England  and  America,  sought  and  enjoyed  his  correspon- 
dence. This  on  his  part  was  conducted  with  so  much  care 
and  regalarily,  and  with  so  much  of  good  sense  and  spiritual 
uuction,  as  to  render  his  letters  always  edifying  and  grateful. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  RICHARD  FURMAX,    D.   D.  4J  1 

His  juflgment,  as  expressed  in  the  freedom  of  epistolary  in- 
tercourse, was  always  directed  by  sound  principles,  striking 
discernment,  and  charitable  forbearance.  Whilst  he  was  a 
most  faithful  reprover  of  faults  and  errors,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  making  the  most  liberal  allowances  for  the  frailties 
and  imperfections  incident  to  the  human  character.  With 
party  strife  he  never  meddled  but  in  the  capacity  of  a  peace- 
maker ;  and  when  his  efforts  failed  in  this  respect,  he  was 
content  to  restrain  the  expression  of  opinions  as  to  the  cul- 
pability of  all  parties.  On  one  occasion,  where  he  had  bcea 
appealed  to  by  contending  brethren,  betwixt  whom  he  was 
unable  to  restore  the  desired  concord,  he  meekly  observed, 
*'  that  the  case  appeared  to  him  to  be  a  revival  of  the  old 
dispute,  which  of  them  should  be  greatest !"  He  was  never 
known  to  do  or  to  say  any  thing  which  could  be  supposed  to 
originate  in  the  spirit  of  jealousy  or  rivalship.  He  was  air- 
ways among  the  first  to  accord  the  tribute  of  deserved  com- 
mendation to  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  seemed  to 
regard  their  success  and  happiness  as  an  important  ground  of 
satisfaction  to  himself. 

In  person  he  was  somewhat  above  the  common  stature, 
with  a  frame  robust,  athletic,  well  proportioned,  and  remark- 
ably dignified.  It  was  impossible  to  be  in  his  presence  with- 
out a  feeling  of  veneration,  or  to  hear  him  speak  without  a 
sincere  deference  for  all  he  said.  His  face  was  full,  manly, 
and  highly  expressive  of  kindness  and  penetration.  In  the 
pulpit  he  appeared  to  the  greatest  advantage,  when  the 
natural  force  and  elevation  of  his  person  were  rendered 
majestic  by  the  presence  of  truth,  and  the  solemnity  of 
eternal  things. 

As  a  Christian  of  rich,  deep,  and  varied  experience,  Dr. 
Furman  presented  much  that  was  worthy  of  attention.  He 
was  among  that  class  of  believers  whose  unsophisticated  con- 
victions and  feelings  were  the  consistent  impress  of  scripture 
truth.  His  joys  were  not  the  bursts  of  sudden  transport,  nor 
were  his  sorrows  the  paroxysms  of  temporary  grief.  His 
wliole  life  appeared  to  be  an  exercise  of  pious  contrition,  and 
the  distinguishing  feature  in  his  religion  was  the  humbling 
sense  of  nature's  depraved  and  corrupted  state.  If  we  are 
to  judge  true  piety  by  the  disposition  which  it  assumes  towards 
sin;  if  the  living  faith  be  certified  by  the  temper  with  which 
the  believer  stands  affected  towards  the  turpitude  of  his  own 


41*2  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  RICHARD  FURMAN,    D.  D. 

nature  ;  and  if  the  most  obvious  tendency  of  that  divine 
energy  which  forms  the  inward  man  to  the  habits  of  spiritu- 
ality and  godliness,  be  the  expulsion  of  sin  from  the  heart, 
then  may  we  conclude  that  few  men  ever  reached  such 
eminence  in  grace.  In  meekness,  simplicity,  and  equanimity 
of  soul,  he  was  at  all  times  most  exemplary.  The  care  and 
jealousy  with  which  he  watched  over  and  examined  himself, 
were  not  the  least  conspicuous  parts  of  his  daily  conversation. 
He  was  rather  of  the  doubting  than  of  the  strongly  confident 
class  of  Christians.  His  daily  experiences  in  the  divine  life, 
presented  in  faithful  record,  resembled  a  true  register  in 
which  the  state  of  the  passing  season  had  been  duly  noted ; 
and  where  might  be  found  th  it  alternation  of  bright  and 
gloomy  days  which  usually  makes  up  the  history  of  the 
weather  during  almost  any  given  period. 

In  the  deep  and  practical  knowledge  of  the  human  heart, 
he  was  truly  a  master  in  Israel,  ilis  information  had  been 
derived  from  a  severe  and  conscientious  analysis  of  the  diver- 
sified operations  of  his  own  mind;  and  the  rigid  scrutiny 
with  which  he  sat  in  judgment  on  himself,  added  truth  and 
certainty  to  the  result  of  his  close  examination.  Strict  and 
faithful  in  deciding  upon  his  own  case,  and  a  charitable  judge 
of  others,  he  was  qualified  to  unfold  to  the  timid  and  waver- 
ing Christian,  those  principles  which  an  experimental  process 
had  developed  to  his  own  view.  His  religion  was  not  a 
mechanical  organization  of  frames  and  feelings,  nor  the  irre- 
gular vehemence  of  a  transient  passion,  but  the  established 
rectitude  of  a  renewed  heart  struggling  with  the  principles  of 
spiritual  wickedness,  and  aspiring  after  the  genuine  liberty 
of  the  sons  of  God. 

As  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  he  had  carefully  studied,  and 
successfully  acquired,  all  the  properties  of  the  sacred  office. 
Like  some  of  the  great  models  of  ancient  eloquence,  he  con- 
quered by  early  assiduity  some  natural  impediments,  and  by 
this  means  acquired  a  habit  of  extemporaneous  expression  at 
once  terse  and  conspicuous.  His  method  of  treating  a  sub- 
ject was  always  remarkably  happy,  and  no  one  ever  thought 
of  improving  an  arrangement  of  topics  which  his  masterly 
conception  had  once  formed.  In  the  discussion  of  the  several 
parts  of  his  subject,  he  was  distinct,  deliberate,  and  solemn. 
His  style,  which  was  simple  and  clear,  rose  by  a  natural 
tlevation  with  his  leading  ideas,  and  then  were  enriched  widi 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  llEV.  RICHARD  FURMA.V,    D.  D.  413 

chaste  and  pertinent  illustrations.  The  general  character  of 
his  preaching  was  judicious,  affectionate,  and  instructive  ;  but 
frequently,  in  the  moments  of  deeper  feeling,  he  adopted  a 
loftier  strain,  and  yielding  to  an  impassioned  impulse,  he 
rose  in  the  height  and  grandeur  of  thought,  far  above  his  or- 
dinary elevation.  Then  it  was  that  he  appeared  great  and 
commanding.  Terror  and  pity  were  blended  in  his  air  ;  his 
divine  commission  was  held  up  in  view  of  deeply  penetrated 
multitudes,  and  the  authority  under  which  he  acted  was  seen 
and  felt  by  all  present.  The  common  fault  of  repetition, 
and  the  commoner  redundancy  of  words  without  exact  mean- 
ing, so  universally  prevalent  3.mongezte?jipore  speakers,  were 
seldom  to  be  found  in  his  sermons.  lie  always  had  a  mean- 
ing, and  that  meaning  was  clear  and  intelligible. 

I  have  seldom,  if  ever,  known  the  man  so  distinguished  for 
that  prudence  and  useful  forecast  which  are  absolutely  requi- 
site to  the  attainment  of  respectability  and  usefulness,  as  was 
Dr.  Furman.  The  smallest  matters  were  weighed  by  him 
with  jealous  caution ;  and  when  the  feelings  or  the  opinions 
of  others  were  concerned,  he  always  adopted  the  iiiost  con- 
ciliating and  amiable  course.  As  an  evidence  of  this,  it  will 
be  sufficient  to  remark,  that  where  he  was  known,  all  were 
his  friends,  none  were  his  enemies.  In  asserting  the  pecil- 
liarities  of  the  denomination  to  which  he  belonged,  though 
bold  and  impressive,  yet  he  always  evinced  a  proper  respect 
for  the  sentiments  arad  practices  of  others,  and  by  the  spirit 
of  modest  deference,  secured  the  kind  regard  of  bis  opponents. 
Like  Melancthon,  he  was  great  in  counsel,  and  whilst  con- 
ducting plans  of  general  utility  and  benevolence,  exhibited 
a  wisdom,  the  plenitude  of  which  seemed  adequate  to  every 
occasion. 

In  pastoral  duties  and  observances  he  was  a  model.  The 
people  of  his  charge  enjoyed  the  constant  benefit  of  his  visits, 
admonitions,  and  prayers.  In  all  these  he  was  the  untiring 
and  painstaking  servant  of  the  church,  looking  after  the  de- 
linquent, consoling  the  afllicted,  confirming  the  feeble-minded, 
and  supporting  the  weak.  No  other  engagements  were  ever 
permitted  to  interfere  with  those  which  he  felt  bound  to  exe- 
cute in  the  regular  prosecution  of  his  pastoral  labours; 
whether  it  were  the  rich  or  the  poor,  the  master  or  the 
slave,  all  equally  shared  his  attentions  and  affectionate 
visitations. 

35* 


41  i  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.   RICilAKD  FIRMAN^    D.  D. 

Though  in  his  views  of  scripture  doctrine  he  followed  no 
man  exclusively,  yet  he  was  not  unwilling  to  be  found  coin- 
ciding with  such  men  as  Doddridge,  Fuller,  and  Dwight. 
He  thought  that  many  of  the  advocates  of  exact  system  in 
theology,  had  not  deserved  well  of  the  cause;  and  that  it 
accorded  better  with  Christian  wisdom  to  adopt  an  unmuti- 
iated  revelation,  than  to  press  it  by  forced  constructions  into 
the  service  of  a  system.  He  was  in  general  agreement  with 
the  summary  of  faith  held  by  the  Calvinistic  Baptists,  and  was 
among  those  who  advised  the  re-publication  of  that  summary 
under  the  sanction  of  the  Charleston  Baptist  Association. 
Still  he  held  that  ail  creeds  were  subordinate  to  the  word  of 
God,  and  that  a  reasonable  latitude  of  interpretation  of  this 
latter  instrument  should  be  allowed,  provided  there  was  no 
infringement  of  fundamental  principles. 

In  general  learning  he  had  made  such  progress  as  would 
have  ranked  him  among  men  of  the  first  intelligence  in  any 
country.  The  defect  in  his  earlier  grammatical  studies  was 
well  supplied  by  his  liberal  and  comprehensive  knowledge  of 
the  philosophy  of  language;  and  whilst  he  did  not  lay  claim 
to  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  rudiments  of  the  ancient 
languages,  he  was  nevertheless  capable  of  performing  the 
part  of  a  judicious  critic  in  the  Hebrew  and  Greek  originals 
of  scripture.  His  studies  were  chiefly  confined  to  mathe- 
matics, metaphysics,  belles  lettres,  logic,  history  and  theology. 
He  cultivated  also  an  acquaintance  with  the  ancient  classics, 
particularly  Homer,  Longinus,  and  Quintillian,  with  whose 
beauties  and  precepts  he  vras  familiar.  He  read  with  sedu- 
lous attention  all  the  writers  of  the  Augustan  age  of  English 
literature,  and  whatever  the  language  possessed  valuable  in 
criticism  and  immortal  in  poetry.  There  are  few  men,  it  is 
believed,  who  have  had  their  minds  more  richly  stored  with 
the  fine  passages  of  Milton,  Young,  Pope,  Addison,  Butler, 
and  other  great  authors,  than  Dr.  Furman.  From  them  he 
could  quote  properly  and  appositely  for  almost  every  occa- 
sion, what  was  most  beautiful  and  eloquent.  He  possessed 
uncommon  talent  in  disarming  the  utility  of  those  studies 
connected  with  the  mind,  and  in  condensing  them  into  such 
abstracts  as  to  make  them  clearly  intelligible  to  every  capa- 
city. In  this  way  he  could  analyze  and  expound  the  princi- 
ples of  moral  philosophy  and  logic,  with  a  facility  which  could 
only  have  resulted  from  a  ready  mastery  over  the  subjects. 


MEMOIIl  OF  THE  REV.  RICHARD  FURMAN,    D.   D.  41»5 

Bat  that  which  imparted  a  charm  to  his  whole  hTe,  was  the 
godly  savor  which  pervaded  and  sweetened  all  his  superior 
endowments  and  qualifications.  All  the  vigour  of  his  noble 
intellect  was  consecrated  to  God.  All  the  matured  fruits  of 
his  long  experience  was  an  oblation  to  the  Father  of  Mercies, 
All  the  variety  of  his  acquirements,  and  ail  the  vastness  of 
his  well  furnished  mind,  were  merged  in  one  prevailing  de- 
termination, to  know  nothing  save  Christ  crucified. 

The  whole  period  of  thirty-eight  years,  which  passed  from 
the  time  of  his  settlement  in  Charleston  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
was  spent  in  acts  suitable  to  the  life  and  character  here  set 
forth.  AmonjT  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  throughout  the 
Union,  there  seems  to  have  been  but  one  opinion  of  his 
vrorth  and  talents.  With  one  consent  he  was  appointed 
president  of  the  first  Baptist  Convention  for  the  United 
States,  held  in  Philadelphia,  181-1,  and  was  looked  up  to  as 
the  leading  mind  in  all  the  deliberations  and  transactions  of 
that  body.  His  whole  life  was  untainted  by  the  breath  of 
reproach. 

Having  reached  his  three-score  years  and  ten,  this  eminent 
servant  of  the  Lord  finished  his  course  among  the  people  of 
his  charge  August,  18*25.  He  had  been  twice  married,  and 
left  behind  him  a  numerous  family.  All  his  children  have, 
more  or  less,  walked  in  the  ways  of  their  venerated  parent. 
Not  one  of  them  has  proved  unworthy  of  such  a  descent. 
Three  of  his  sons  are  now  zealous  and  able  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  and  adorning  the  profession  which  was  so  signally 
honoured  by  their  father. 

The  last  sermon  that  Dr.  Furman  delivered  was  founded 
on  the  text — "  Enoch  walked  with  God,  and  was  not,  for 
God  took  him.''  Although  in  this  last  eftort  nature  seeD:!ed 
almost  exhausted,  yet  his  mind  was  borne  above  all  earthly 
things,  and  his  lips  appeared  to  be  touched  with  hallowed 
fire,  while  he  unfolded  the  privileges  of  that  communion  with 
God,  which  he  was  soon  to  enjoy  in  measure  large  and  high. 
As  his  malady  increased,  and  his  sufferings  became  more 
intense,  the  graces  of  a  sanctified  disposition  were  more  con- 
spicuous. These  were  an  humble  reliance  on  Christ  as  the 
all-sufficient  Saviour,  patience  under  affliction,  and  tenderness 
of  heart.  When  any  of  his  friends  would  allude  to  his  past 
services  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  he  would  reply — "  Upon  a 
review  of  life  I  find  much  to  be  thankful  forj  but  O,  what 


416  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV     RICHAnO  FURMAN,    D.  D. 

caiBC  to  be  humbled  before  my  God  !  I  am  overwhelmed 
with  the  sense  of  my  iwgratitude,  of  my  neglects,  of  my  un- 
faithfulness as  a  minister  of  Christ !"  It  evidently  distressed 
him  whenever  his  past  exertions  were  spoken  of  as  indica- 
tions of  uncommon  piety.  "If  I  have  been  the  instrument  in 
the  hands  of  God  of  doing  any  thing  to  his  glory,  it  is  to  me 
a  great  mercy.  But  how  numerous  have  been  my  short 
comings.  I  am  filled  v/ith  shame  and  confusion  when  I 
reflect,  how  little  I  have  improved  my  opportunities  for  doing 
good  1"  Tiiat  glorious  theme  on  which  it  had  been  his  delight 
to  dwell  in  all  the  exercises  of  his  ministry,  swelled  in  magni- 
tude as  he  approached  the  close  of  his  life,  and  it  was  evident 
that  Christ,  and  only  Christ,  was  all  his  hope.  To  a  friend 
who  reminded  him  that  past  experiences  were  valuable,  as 
furnishing  evidence  of  our  acceptance  with  God,  through 
Ciirist,  he  replied — '*  Yes,  they  are  ;  and  if  I  had  not  these, 
1  know  that  the  promises  of  grace  are  still  held  out.  Christ 
is  still  the  Almiglity  Saviour,  ready  to  receive  and  to  pardon 
the  repenting  sinner."  Like  the  great  and  pious  Watts, 
when  in  the  extremity  of  nature's  struggle,  he  was  looking 
for  the  prop  that  was  to  sustain  his  sinking  spirit,  he  found 
the  simplest  truths  of  the  gospel  the  most  encouraging  ones. 
The  last  time  he  visited  the  house  of  God,  was  when  a 
neighbouring  minister  preached  on  some  of  the  plain  and 
practical  points  of  the  Christian  faith.  On  tliis  occasion  he 
expressed  his  satisfaction,  observing — '*  These  are  blessed 
truths  on  which  we  may  live  and  die."  To  some  friends 
who  seemed  deeply  affected  at  the  view  of  his  sufferings,  he 
gaid — **  I  do  not  pretend  to  determine,  but  my  own  impres- 
sion is,  that  this  is  my  last  sickness,  and  if  through  the  riches 
of  divine  grace  I  may  obtain  the  lowest  seat  in  heaven,  death 
is  not  unwelcome  to  me."  He  lost  no  opportunity  to  address, 
in  the  most  affectionate  manner,  all  who  entered  his  apart- 
ment; and  as  his  strength  permitted,  he  continued  to  pray 
in  his  family  with  that  spiritual  fervour  and  elevation  of  soul, 
that  indicated  his  ripeness  for  bliss.  During  a  violent  thunder 
storm  while  he  was  in  great  pain,  he  repeated  with  emphasis, 
the  following  beautiful  passage  from  Jeremiah — "  Are  there 
any  among  the  vanities  of  the  heathen  that  can  cause  rain  ? 
or  can  the  heavens  give  showers]  Art  thou  not  he,  O  Lord 
our  God]  Therefore  we  will  wait  upon  thee,  for  thou  hast 
made  all  these  things."     To  a  friend  who  entered  his  chara- 


MEMOIR  OF  THE   RKV.   RICHARD  FURMAN,    1).   D.  417 

ber,  he  said— "  O,  if  such  sianers  as  you  and  I  ever  get  to 
heaven,  redeeming  grace  will  be  greatly  magnitiod  in  our 
salvation."  To  some  friends  present  he  said—"  I  am  a 
d.ying  man,  but  my  trust  is  in  the  Redeemer.  I  preach 
Christ  to  you  dying,  as  I  have  attempted  to  do  while  livinr-. 
I  commend  Christ  and  his  salvation  to  you."  Just  before 
he  expired,  he  requested  the  twenty-third  psalm  to  be  read, 
and  whilst  this  deliglitful  portion  of  scripture  was  imparting 
Its  balm  to  his  listening  spirit,  he  gently  passed  to  the  ever- 
lasting  repose  of  the  saints. 


TilE    END. 


i 


DATE  DUE 

AUOfloa^ 

■  -  - 

! 

CAYLORO 

PRINTEOINU.S.A. 

^m^W"^ 


\i\\:]\'yt,^ 


